Addicted to Shopping? It’s no laughing matter, but ‘mindfulness training’ might help

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Mindfulness is becoming widely accepted as way of being more ‘in the moment’. According to teachers offering courses across London, it can also change the way we respond to life’s challenges. For the oniomaniac, that means shopping – often to the detriment of their own long-term wellbeing.

Last years film ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ saw the stereotypical oniomanic presented by Rebecca Bloomwood as a young image-conscious female. Certainly young women are vulnerable, but research has found that women of all ages are affected, and so are men. Male oniomaniacs tend to buy sports equipment, gadgets or technology rather than clothes, shoes and jewellery. But the comedy of ‘Confessions’ hides a much darker reality of debt, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, shame and relationship stress. Oniomania affects an estimated 10 per cent of the population, but with many not taking the condition seriously, the true figure is certainly higher.

The Surrey research asked people about their level of mindfulness, their shopping behaviour and how satisfied they were with their lives. The findings showed that those scoring high in mindfulness are more satisfied with their life, and are less likely to be shopaholics.

Professor Tim Jackson, who leads the research team at Surrey is excited by these findings: “Over-consumption is no laughing matter. It’s a disease of our times,” he said. “But it’s encouraging to think that a simple technique like mindfulness might be so powerful in helping people cope with it.”

A follow-on study is now planned in which the researchers will investigate the potential for mindfulness training to reduce oniomania. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Alison Armstrong at a.armstrong@surrey.ac.uk or call 01483 686659.

Media Enquiries

Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk