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Background and aims: Compulsive buying-shopping disorder (CBSD) is mentioned as an example of other specified impulse control disorders in the ICD-11 coding tool, highlighting its clinical relevance and need for treatment. The aim of the present work was to provide a systematic update on treatment studies for CBSD, with a particular focus on online CBSD. Method: The preregistered systematic review (PROSPERO, CRD42021257379) was performed in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycInfo databases. Original research published between January 2000 and December 2022 was included. Risk of reporting bias was evaluated with the CONSORT guideline for randomized controlled trials. Effect sizes for primary CBSD outcomes were calculated. Results: Thirteen studies were included (psychotherapy: 2 open, 4 waitlist control design; medication: 2 open, 3 placebo-controlled, 2 open-label phase followed by a double-blind discontinuation phase; participants treatment/control 349/149). None of the studies addressed online CBSD. Psychotherapy studies suggest that group cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in reducing CBSD symptoms. Pharmacological studies with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or topiramate did not indicate superiority over placebo. Predictors of treatment outcome were rarely examined, mechanisms of change were not studied at all. Risk of reporting bias was high in most studies. Discussion: Poor methodological and low quality of reporting of included studies reduce the reliability of conclusions. There is a lack of studies targeting online CBSD. More high-quality treatment research is needed with more emphasis on the CBSD subtype and mechanisms of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Consensus in acknowledging compulsive buying-shopping disorder (CBSD) as a distinct diagnosis has been lacking. Before research in this area can be advanced, it is necessary to establish diagnostic criteria in order to facilitate field trials. Methods: The study consisted of the following phases: (1) operationalization of a broad range of potential diagnostic criteria for CBSD, (2) two iterative rounds of data collection using the Delphi method, where consensus of potential diagnostic criteria for CBSD was reached by an international expert panel, and (3) interpretation of findings taking into account the degree of certainty amongst experts regarding their responses. Results: With respect to diagnostic criteria, there was clear expert consensus about inclusion of the persistent and recurrent experience of (a) intrusive and/or irresistible urges and/or impulses and/or cravings and/or preoccupations for buying/shopping; (b) diminished control over buying/shopping; (c) excessive purchasing of items without utilizing them for their intended purposes, (d) use of buying-shopping to regulate internal states; (e) negative consequences and impairment in important areas of functioning due to buying/shopping; (f) emotional and cognitive symptoms upon cessation of excessive buying/shopping; and (g) maintenance or escalation of dysfunctional buying/shopping behaviors despite negative consequences. Furthermore, support was found for a specifier related to the presence of excessive hoarding of purchased items. Conclusions: The proposed diagnostic criteria can be used as the basis for the development of diagnostic interviews and measures of CBSD severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compulsive buying-shopping disorder (CBSD) is characterized by impaired control over buying/shopping, an extreme preoccupation, and a strong urge to acquire goods. Increasingly more people are shopping online, partly due to the growth of the online market, leading to a shift from in-store CBSD to online-CBSD. Therefore, more attention should be drawn to the specifics of online-CBSD, which could also lead to a need for adaptation of existing therapeutic approaches. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic review of treatments for CBSD, with a focus on online-CBSD. Method: The preregistered systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. The review included original research in scientific peer-reviewed journals published in English (1999-2022). The following databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycInfo. Studies were selected in a two-step process: 1) 2 authors (NML, TAT) independently reviewed titles/abstracts, 2) two authors (AM, EG) independently reviewed full texts. Results: Thirteen studies were included: 6 psychotherapy (4 randomized controlled, 2 open) and 7 pharmacological studies (3 placebo-controlled, 4 open). All studies indicate stronger treatment effects on CBSD symptom severity in the cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy groups compared to the wait-list control groups. The effects of pharmacological treatment on CBSD symptom severity were high in open-label studies, but there was no superiority of medication over placebo in the three placebo-controlled studies. Discussion: None of the studies referred to a specific treatment of online-CBSD. However, it can be assumed that the results are transferable. However, future studies should distinguish which form of CBSD is present to determine differences and examine whether specific online-CBSD treatment is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Exercise dependence (EXD) is considered a behavioral addiction that is often associated with eating disorders. To date, only few studies examined the potential overlap between EXD and other addictive behaviors. Therefore, the present study aimed at investigating the relationship of EXD with pathological buying, pathological video gaming (offline and online), hypersexual behavior, and alcohol use disorder in a sample of clients of fitness centers. Methods: The following questionnaires were answered by 128 individuals (age M = 26.5, SD = 6.7 years; 71.7% men, 74.2% university students): Exercise Dependence Scale, Eating Disorder Examination- Questionnaire, Compulsive Buying Scale, Pathological Computer-Gaming Scale, Hypersexual Behavior Inventory, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Results: 7.8% of the sample were at-risk for EXD, 10.9% reported eating disorder pathology, 2.3% pathological buying, 3.1% hypersexual behavior, and none of the participants suffered from pathological video gaming. The criteria for severe alcohol disorder pathology (AUDIT ≥ 16) were fulfilled by 10.2%. With regard to continuous symptom scores, EXD symptoms were positively correlated with both eating disorder pathology and pathological buying but not with pathological video gaming, hypersexuality or alcohol use disorder. It is noteworthy that more symptoms of pathological buying corresponded with more symptoms of hypersexual behavior. The correlation pattern did not differ by gender. Discussion: The co-occurrence of EXD, pathological buying and hypersexual behavior on a subclinical level or in the early stage of the disorders should be taken into account when assessing and treating patients. More research is warranted in order to investigate possible interactions between these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: With the inclusion of gaming disorder in the ICD-11, diagnostic criteria were introduced for this relatively new disorder. These criteria may also be applied to other potential specific Internet-use disorders, which may be classified in ICD-11 as other disorders due to addictive behaviors, such as online buying-shopping disorder, online pornography-use disorder, social-networks-use disorder, and online gambling disorder. Due to the heterogeneity in existing instruments, we aimed to develop a consistent and economic measure of major types of (potential) specific Internet-use disorders based on ICD-11 criteria for gaming disorder. Methods: The new 11-item Assessment of Criteria for Specific Internet-use Disorders (ACSID-11) measures five behavioral addictions with the same set of items by following the principles of WHO’s ASSIST. The ACSID-11 was administered to active Internet users (N = 985) together with an adaptation of the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) and screeners for mental health. We used Confirmatory Factor Analyses to analyze the factor structure of ACSID-11. Results: The assumed four-factorial structure was confirmed and was superior to the unidimensional solution. This applied to gaming disorder and to the other specific Internet-use disorders. ACSID-11 scores correlated with IGDT-10 as well as with the measures of psychological distress. Discussion and Conclusions: The ACSID-11 seems to be suitable for the consistent assessment of (potential) specific Internet-use disorders based on ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for gaming disorder. The ACSID-11 may be a useful and economic instrument for studying various behavioral addictions with the same items and improving comparability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gambling and gaming disorders have been included as “disorders due to addictive behaviors” in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Other problematic behaviors may be considered as “other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors (6C5Y).” Methods: Narrative review, experts’ opinions. Results: We suggest the following meta-level criteria for considering potential addictive behaviors as fulfilling the category of “other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors”: 1. Clinical relevance: Empirical evidence from multiple scientific studies demonstrates that the specific potential addictive behavior is clinically relevant and individuals experience negative consequences and functional impairments in daily life due to the problematic and potentially addictive behavior. 2. Theoretical embedding: Current theories and theoretical models belonging to the field of research on addictive behaviors describe and explain most appropriately the candidate phenomenon of a potential addictive behavior. 3. Empirical evidence: Data based on self-reports, clinical interviews, surveys, behavioral experiments, and, if available, biological investigations (neural, physiological, genetic) suggest that psychological (and neurobiological) mechanisms involved in other addictive behaviors are also valid for the candidate phenomenon. Varying degrees of support for problematic forms of pornography use, buying and shopping, and use of social networks are available. These conditions may fit the category of “other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors”. Conclusion: It is important not to over-pathologize everyday-life behavior while concurrently not trivializing conditions that are of clinical importance and that deserve public health considerations. The proposed meta-level-criteria may help guide both research efforts and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical Background: With the increasing convergences of online applications, shopping no longer takes place exclusively on e-commerce platforms, but also on social networks. Previous studies have been able to draw certain similarities but also differences between online compulsive buying-shopping disorder (oCBSD) and social-networks-use disorder (SNUD). This prompts the investigation of individuals with oCBSD or SNUD in terms of their usage behaviors and personality traits. Methods: In an experimental setting, we compare women with either oCBSD or SNUD regarding sociodemographic variables, use time of the firstchoice application, oCBSD/SNUD severity (ACSID-11), general internet use, impulsivity (BIS-15), materialism (MVS), and perceived chronic stress (TICS). Results: Results showed differences in age, qualification, and daily usage. Higher materialistic values were observed in women with oCBSD compared to women with SNUD. The groups did not differ regarding their general internet use, impulsivity, and stress vulnerability. However, stress vulnerability could be shown as predictor of the symptom severity for women suffering from SNUD but not from oCBSD. Discussion: The results suggest both similarities and differences in the characteristics of oCBSD and SNUD. Future research may address the technological features potentially contributing to oCBSD or SNUD as well as affective and cognitive mechanisms involved in either oCBSD or SNUD or in the convergence of the two types of Internet-use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food addiction (FA) represents a controversial phenomenon that is often referred to as behavioral addiction. Ongoing debate discusses a potential symptom shift (e.g., cross addiction transfer) due to reductions in FA after obesity surgery. It was examined if pre-operative FA is associated with increased risk of pre- and post-operative adverse mental health outcomes (suicidal ideation, self-harm and problematic alcohol use). Methods: A longitudinal study in 220 patients (75.9% females, MBMI = 49.48 kg/m²; SDBMI = 6.32 kg/m²; Mage = 40.99 years; SDage = 11.07 years) before and 6 months after obesity surgery was conducted. YFAS 2.0, Self Harm Inventory (SHI), PHQ and AUDIT were the standardized questionnaires used to capture FA, self-harm, suicidal ideation and alcohol use. Results: The YFAS 2.0 prevalence of FA was 40.9% before and 5.0% after obesity surgery. Persons with pre-operative FA showed an increased risk of pre-operative (OR: 3.83 [2.14-6.86]) but not post-operative suicidal ideation (OR: 1.68 [0.73-3.88]). Persons with pre-operative FA revealed an increased risk of post-operative problematic alcohol use (OR: 2.88 [1.02-8.09]) and tended to show an increased risk of post-operative self-harm (OR: 1.72 [0.93-3.19]). They did not show an increased risk of pre-operative self-harm (OR: 1.34 [0.72-2.49]) or pre-operative problematic alcohol use (OR: 1.39 [0.60-3.19]). Conclusion: FA seems to be primarily associated with adverse mental health outcomes after obesity surgery with some of them representing conditions requiring clinical intervention. Future research should be devoted to the clinical utility of the FA concept, the operationalization of FA and differentiation from other constructs such as binge eating disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main causes of indebtedness is overspending because of excessive shopping. Across three Studies, providing cross-sectional and longitudinal data, we discriminated the two major kinds of excessive shopping: pathological and impulsive buying. Predominantly, pathological buying has been described as extreme and maladaptive form of impulsive buying. However, some research also has suggested that these two phenomena might be qualitatively different. Supporting the latter notion, the present research established discriminant validity. Moreover, the structure of the relation was best described by a nested-factor model with pathological and impulsive buying being orthogonal constructs. Thereupon, we propose, and empirically test, a common conceptual framework of similarities and differences, comprising predisposing factors, accompanying processes and long-term consequences, measured in a follow-up after two years. Pathological buying was associated with the more problematic side of consumers' psychological state, including psychopathology and dissocial personality features. Impulsive buyers prevailingly were materialistic and impulsive. Both phenomena shared impulsive affect-driven processes, especially a strong shopping-urge. However, they might be distinguished based on strategic cognition-driven processes. In particular, pathological buyers tended to follow a satisficing decision style, while simultaneously being indecisive. Pathological buying was not associated with exploratory shopping and brand loyalty, but impulsive buying was. Although both phenomena might be associated with overconsumption, only pathological buying was a predictor for severe financial vulnerability, including over-indebtedness. Remarkably, our results indicate that impulsive buying has no predictive value for pathological buying, neither cross-sectional nor longitudinal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compulsive buying-shopping disorder (CBSD) constitutes an increasingly noticed clinical phenomenon yet not included as a stand-alone diagnosis in ICD-11. Our aim was to systematically review experimental studies on cognitive functions in CBSD grouped by cognitive domains. Furthermore, evaluated studies were evaluated as (not) supporting the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model as a central theoretical framework for behavioral addictions. Methods: A systematic search in two databases (PubMed and Scopus) comprising compulsive buying-shopping related and cognition-related content was performed. Results: A final number of 26 articles was considered eligible. The studies were heterogeneous with respect to sample characteristics (i.e., predefined convenience or clinical samples) and cue material (i.e., neutral or shopping-specific cues). The studies on cognitive functions in persons with CBSD provide support for the concept of cue reactivity and mostly reveal disadvantageous decision making in persons with CBSD. However, convincing evidence for alterations in attention, cognitive flexibility, learning, memory, inhibitory control and Pavlovian to Instrumental transfer has not been found yet. Referring to methods, the number of fMRI studies to investigate neural correlates of CBSD symptomatology has increased in the last years. Conclusion: Whereas the evidence level for some cognitive functions, particularly cue reactivity and craving, is good and support the application of the I-PACE model to CBSD future research should focus on investigating cognitive domains currently underrepresented in the literature such as e.g., attentional bias and implicit associations. The methodological breadth and quality of the studies is increasing, but can still be expanded in order to capture cognitive alterations in CBSD as precisely as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Pathological buying (PB) is a behavioral addiction that presents comorbidity with several psychiatric disorders. Despite the increase in the prevalence estimates of PB, relatively few PB instruments have been developed. Our aim was to assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the pathological buying screener (PBS) and to explore the associations between PB, psychopathology, and personality traits. Methods: A total of 511 participants, including gambling disorder (GD) and eating disorder (ED) patients diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria, as well as healthy controls (HCs), took part in the study. Results: Higher PB prevalence was obtained in ED patients than in the other two study groups (ED 12.5% vs. 1.3% HC and 2.7% GD). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) verified the 13-item structure of the PBS, and indexes of convergent and discriminant capacity were estimated. CFA confirmed the structure in two factors (excessive buying behavior and loss of control) with excellent internal consistency (α = .92 and .86, respectively). Good convergent capacity was obtained with external psychopathology and personality measures (positive correlations with novelty seeking and negative associations with self-directedness and harm avoidance were found). Good discriminative capacity to differentiate between the study groups was obtained. Discussion and conclusions: This study provides support for the reliability and validity of the Spanish adaptation of the PBS. Female sex, higher impulsivity, and higher psychopathology were associated with PB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is good scientific evidence that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is both a predictor and a comorbidity of addictive disorders in adulthood. These associations not only focus on substance-related addictions but also on behavioral addictions like gambling disorder and Internet use disorder (IUD). For IUD, systematic reviews have identified ADHD as one of the most prevalent comorbidities besides depressive and anxiety disorders. Yet, there is a need to further understand the connections between both disorders to derive implications for specific treatment and prevention. This is especially the case in adult clinical populations where little is known about these relations so far. This study was meant to further investigate this issue in more detail based on the general hypothesis that there is a decisive intersection of psychopathology and etiology between IUD and ADHD. Methods: Two case-control samples were examined at a university hospital. Adult ADHD and IUD patients ran through a comprehensive clinical and psychometrical workup. Results: We found support for the hypothesis that ADHD and IUD share psychopathological features. Among patients of each group, we found substantial prevalence rates of a comorbid ADHD in IUD and vice versa. Furthermore, ADHD symptoms were positively associated with media use times and symptoms of Internet addiction in both samples. Discussion: Clinical practitioners should be aware of the close relationships between the two disorders both diagnostically and therapeutically. When it comes to regain control over one's Internet use throughout treatment and rehabilitation, a potential shift of addiction must be kept in mind on side of practitioners and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate impulsive behaviors in pathological buying (PB). Methods: The study included three groups matched for age and gender: treatment seeking outpatients with PB (PB+), treatment seeking psychiatric inpatients without PB (PB-), and a healthy control group (HC). PB was assessed by means of the Compulsive Buying Scale and by the impulse control disorder (ICD) module of the research version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-ICD). All participants answered questionnaires concerning symptoms of borderline personality disorder, selfharming behaviors, binge eating and symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, comorbid ICDs were assessed using the SCID-ICD. Results: The PB+ and PB- groups did not differ with regard to borderline personality disorder or ADHD symptoms, but both groups reported significantly more symptoms than the HC group. Frequencies of self-harming behaviors did not differ between the three groups. Patients with PB were more often diagnosed with any current ICD (excluding PB) compared to those without PB and the HC group (38.7% vs. 12.9% vs. 12.9%, respectively, p=.017). Discussion: Our findings confirm prior research suggesting more impulsive behaviors in patients with and without PB compared to healthy controls. The results of the questionnaire-based assessment indicate that outpatients with PB perceive themselves equally impulsive and self-harm as frequently as inpatients without PB; but they seem to suffer more often from an ICD as assessed by means of an interview. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]