Consumer Compulsive Buying and Hoarding in a World of Fast Fashion. Master of Science (Merchandising), August 2014, 60 Pp., 6 Tables, 3 Figures, References, 46 Titles
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CONSUMER COMPULSIVE BUYING AND HOARDING IN A WORLD OF FAST FASHION Kathleen M. Higgins Thesis Prepared for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS August 2014 APPROVED: Tammy Kinley, Associate Professor/Chairperson-Merchandising & Digital Retailing Jessica Strubel, Lecturer-Merchandising & Digital Retailing Christy A. Crutsinger, Professor- Academic Affairs, Vice Provost for Faculty Success Higgins, Kathleen M. Consumer compulsive buying and hoarding in a world of fast fashion. Master of Science (Merchandising), August 2014, 60 pp., 6 tables, 3 figures, references, 46 titles. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the relationships between social media, fashion interest and fast fashion involvement and whether these psychographic variables affect propensity for compulsive clothing buying and (2) to determine whether a relationship exists between compulsive buying and propensity toward hoarding. Data was collected through consumer panel from Qualtrix. Screener questions ensured that all respondents were adult females with an interest in fashion. Responses yielded 232 usable surveys, which were analyzed using SPSS software. Social media was found to be positively related to fashion interest, fast fashion involvement, and compulsive clothing buying. Compulsive clothing buying was found to be positively related to all three compulsive clothes hoarding symptoms: clothing clutter disorganization, clothing acquisition, and difficulty discarding clothing. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to show my greatest appreciation and thanks to Dr. Kinley who not only patiently guided my study but generously provided funding. Without her shared knowledge and expertise this thesis would not have been possible. Additionally I would like to thank my committee members Dr. Strubel and Dr. Crutsinger for their insightful comments and feedback. Finally my deepest and heartfelt appreciation goes to my friends and family, especially my parents for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this process. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................... i LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... v Chapter I ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................... 2 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................... 3 Hypotheses ................................................................................................................................... 7 Operational Definitions ................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter II .................................................................................................................................... 10 Review of Literature .................................................................................................................. 10 Consumer’s Fashion Interest ................................................................................................... 10 Fashion interest. ........................................................................................................................ 10 Fast fashion. ............................................................................................................................... 10 Fast fashion involvement. ......................................................................................................... 11 Compulsive Buying .................................................................................................................... 14 Compulsive clothing buying framework ....................................................................................... 14 Compulsive clothing buying model. ............................................................................................. 15 Social Media ............................................................................................................................... 16 Social Media Envy. .................................................................................................................... 17 Compulsive Hoarding ................................................................................................................ 18 Chapter III ................................................................................................................................... 21 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 21 Instruments ................................................................................................................................. 22 Social media usage. .................................................................................................................. 22 Fashion interest. ........................................................................................................................ 22 Fast fashion involvement. ......................................................................................................... 22 Compulsive clothing buying instruments. .................................................................................... 22 Compulsive buying scale. ......................................................................................................... 23 Compulsive hoarding instruments. .......................................................................................... 23 Saving inventory revised (SI-R). .............................................................................................. 23 iii Clutter image rating scale (CIR). ................................................................................................... 23 Analysis Plan .............................................................................................................................. 24 Chapter IV ................................................................................................................................... 25 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 25 2012 Census Data Comparison .............................................................................................. 27 Analysis of Hypotheses ............................................................................................................ 29 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 30 Chapter V .................................................................................................................................... 37 Conclusions and Discussion .................................................................................................... 37 Discussion ................................................................................................................................... 38 Contributions to Research ........................................................................................................ 42 Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 43 Limitations and Further Research ........................................................................................... 43 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................. 45 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................. 47 References ................................................................................................................................. 55 iv LIST OF TABLES Page 1. Hypotheses and Tests ...............................................................................................24 2. Demographic Characteristics of Respondents ...........................................................26 3. Social Media Usage....................................................................................................29 4. Pearson Product Moment Correlations Between Survey Variables and Fashion Interest........................................................................................................................31 5. Pearson Product Moment Correlations Between Compulsive Clothing Buying Tendency and Survey Variables ................................................................................32 6. Analysis of Variance Findings for Compulsive Clothing Buying Tendency and Survey Variables.....................................................................................................................33 7. Hoarding Profile of Study Participants........................................................................35 v LIST OF FIGURES Page 1. Compulsive Hoarding model