Big Five Personality Traits, Personal Projects, and Compulsive Buying: A Causal Approach

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Compulsive buying is a complex behavior influenced by personality and motivational factors.
• Understanding the interplay between dispositional traits and motivational variables is crucial for predicting such behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To predict compulsive buying by integrating personality traits (Big Five) with motivational variables (personal projects).
• To propose and test a causal model where personal project domains (meaning and stress) mediate the relationship between personality and compulsive buying.

Main Methods:

• Structural equation modeling was employed.
• A sample of 487 university students participated in the study.
• The model examined the Big Five personality traits, personal project meaning, personal project stress, and compulsive buying.

Main Results:

• The proposed mediating model was generally confirmed.
• Personal project meaning mediated the influence of all Big Five traits on compulsive buying.
• Neuroticism and conscientiousness directly influenced compulsive buying and indirectly through personal project stress.

Conclusions:

• Personality traits influence compulsive buying through both direct and indirect pathways, with personal projects acting as key mediators.
• The findings enhance understanding of the dynamics between personality, personal projects, and compulsive buying.
• The study suggests potential guidelines for preventive actions and interventions targeting compulsive buying.