Compulsive Buying Scale

What it measures

A clinical screener for compulsive buying — a consumer disorder characterised by chronic, repetitive purchasing as a response to negative events or feelings, despite harmful consequences. The CBS uses a regression-based scoring formula to classify respondents as compulsive buyers vs. non-compulsive buyers.

Response format

Likert (1–5, very often to never) — note reverse scoring; lower scores indicate more compulsive buying

Scale items

• If I have any money left at the end of the pay period, I just have to spend it. (1=never to 5=always)
• I feel others would be horrified if they knew of my spending habits. (1=strongly agree to 5=strongly disagree)
• I have bought things even though I couldn't afford them. (1=never to 5=very often)
• I wrote a check when I knew I didn't have enough money in the bank to cover it. (1=never to 5=very often)
• I bought something to make myself feel better. (1=never to 5=very often)
• I feel anxious on days I don't go shopping. (1=strongly agree to 5=strongly disagree)
• I made only the minimum payment on my credit cards. (1=never to 5=very often)

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

Unique scoring: a discriminant function formula (not a simple mean) classifies respondents. A simplified version scores items 1–5 and uses a cut-off. Widely used in research on consumer debt, materialism, and addictive consumer behaviour. Correlates with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and materialism.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Faber, R.J., & O'Guinn, T.C. (1992). A clinical screener for compulsive buying. Journal of Consumer Research, 19(3), 459–469.

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