PAPER #68 - The association between the level of online shopping addiction and the level of depression.

Problem Statement: The Internet has developed significantly over the past decades and has become an integrant part of the modern life. Although the Internet offers numerous benefits, its excessive use can have negative consequences on all dimensions: physical, psychological, social and professional. The term "online shopping addiction" still remains controversial. However, a series of studies has emphasized that problematic Internet use is associated with a series of mental disorders. Purpose of Study: The present study aims to explore the psychological aspects of online shopping addiction, by highlighting the differences in the depression level between three groups of people with different degrees of addiction. Another objective of the study is to investigate the degree of association between the level of online shopping addiction and the level of depression. Research Methods: Three separate samples were used, each of them consisting of 30 members, aged 19-33. The instruments used were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) and The Online Shopping Addiction Questionnaire. Findings: The results show that there is a significant difference in the level of depression between the three groups and the fact that depression positively correlates with online shopping addiction. Conclusions: After the statistical data processing, it was found that, averagely speaking, people with a severe degree of online shopping addiction have higher depression scores, compared to people whose addiction is moderate or inexistent. It does not seem to be any significant difference regarding the depression level between people with no addiction and those with moderate addiction. The statistical data analysis revealed a significant positive global correlation between the addiction level and the depression level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]