The findings of this study showed that prevalence of compulsive buying among university students was more among female students (11%) in comparison to male students (7.2%). Most predominant compulsive buyers were reported from the college of dentistry (7.6%) and fourth year graduates (6.1%). The results of our study were in accordance with Sharma K who also reported predominant female compulsive buyers (94%) in comparison to male (6%). Another study[13] examined compulsive buying among healthcare teachers and showed that females (87.5%) were more prone to shopping than males (12.5%). Online shopping through social networking sites (SNS) trend increased after the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] A study conducted in China among undergraduate female students showed a positive association between SNS and online compulsive purchase mediated through state anxiety.[15] In United Arab Emirates (UAE) among college female students, compulsive buying was found to be associated with depressive symptoms.[16] Another important consideration during examining patients with CBD is to evaluate bulimia (bling eating) as a comorbidity; however, cognitive therapy can play significant role here in treatment and aid physicians in clinical decision-making.[17] Researchers showed that a six-month follow-up of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy are widely used in treating CBD and are of great significance in reducing the number of compulsive buying episodes and time spent on buying (Soares et al., 2013). Similarly, a study conducted among female students in Saudi Arabia reported a significant decline in cognitive buying attitude through introduction of an advising program among students.[18] The improvement in a CBD patient’s psychological wellbeing could be achieved through a healthy diet, better sleep quality and sedentary behaviors, thereby decreasing the mental stress and anxiety.[1920]

The results of our study also showed a statistically significant difference in compulsive buying disorder with respect to gender, field of study and educational year. Our study used ECBS to examine the emotional and financial aspects associated with compulsive buyer participants. Results demonstrated a significant association of CBD with mood modifications, guilt after shopping and feelings about shopping. The socioeconomic details in our study showed that 50.2% of participant’s personal monthly spending capacity ranged between 1000 and 2000 SAR and family spending per month was found to be between 10,000 and 15,000 SAR. CBD is dependent upon personality traits including modifications in mood, neurotic due to stress, such as emotional instability, and instantaneous purchase to become socially acceptable.[21] The segregation of patients with CBD from non-CBD also involve identification of confusion and compulsive buying behavior triggered due to materialistic values endorsement, ultimately resulting in depression and anxiety and leading to hoarding and confusion.[22] On the contrary, Maraz, van den Brink, and Demetrovics[23] reported no linear association between CBD and socioeconomic status and family status. Studies also reported a unique association between OCD and CBD as comorbidities mostly among females, indicative of psychiatric disorder requiring further treatment in terms of compulsivity–impulsivity, whereas being a student provides a protective element.[24] This establishes CBD as a reward-based attitude described by sensation pursuing and impulsivity. Clinical intervention in terms of pharmacological treatment could be introduced on the basis of the individual CBD patient’s psychological, neurobiological and sociocultural characteristics through the use of medications, i.e., N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, opioid antagonists, second-generation antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants.[25] However, randomized trials are still required to propose a complete and accurate treatment guidelines in Saudi Arabia relating to psychological and pharmacological treatment of patients with CBD.

To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Riyadh city, KSA to examine the prevalence of CBD among the youth, especially medical sciences students. The study has a limitation that it does not compare CBD with other socioeconomic and comorbid factors and was only conducted among medical students. Future studies are required to examine the influence of psychological and cultural factors, and psychiatric comorbidities on compulsive buying disorder at the national level. CBD is a phenomenon that has been noted in our society, but we do not know to what degree it is dominant in the kingdom. Our findings support the previous literature, that have shown that compulsive buying disorder is female predominant. Many factors like culture, social media, online shopping, the economic standards as well as psychiatric disorders have a role and affect such disorders. And it might lead to multiple psychiatric and financial complications and consequences, if not managed properly.