Stockpile purchasing in the emerging COVID-19 pandemic is related to obsessive-compulsiveness

Abstract

• Seemingly irrational stockpile purchasing occurred at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. • When the COVID-19 pandemic started, levels of obsessive-compulsiveness were elevated. • Obsessive-compulsiveness was a predictor for stockpile purchasing behavior. • Fears mediated the effect of obsessive-compulsiveness on stockpile purchasing. • Individual and contextual factors were predictors for obsessive-compulsiveness. During the COVID-19 pandemic people started stocking up on daily necessities although no long-term shortage thereof could be expected. Among other variables such as perceived and desired control, experienced scarcity, and psychopathy, obsessive-compulsiveness has been proposed as plausible explanation for this seemingly irrational behavior. We collected data of 1379 participants in an online survey. Buying behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic was measured with the Hamsterkauf Questionnaire (HQ), which was specifically developed for this purpose. As independent variables, we measured participants’ obsessive-compulsiveness on the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) and potential fears of incapacitation and destabilization it might fuel. We also determined the extent to which participants experienced scarcity, exhibited psychopathic traits, felt in control of the situation and desired control in general. The average DOCS score was found to be strongly elevated. Higher obsessive-compulsiveness was associated with stronger stockpile purchasing behavior. This association was partly mediated by fears of incapacitation and destabilization. Obsessive-compulsiveness was predicted by experienced scarcity and psychopathic personality traits. By contrast, desirability of control and perceived control were not significantly associated with obsessive-compulsiveness or panic buying behavior. Survey data were collected in form of a convenience sample at one measurement point. The widespread stockpile purchasing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic can partly be understood as safety behavior to reduce fears related to strongly elevated levels of obsessive-compulsiveness. In turn, elevated levels of obsessive-compulsiveness were partly accounted for by personality factors such a psychopathy and situational stress factors such as scarcity.