ABSTRACT

Background

Lockdowns to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have triggered sharp increases in consumer purchasing behaviour, labelled panic buying. Panic buying has detrimental consequences as it leads to product shortages and disrupts supply chains, forcing retailers to adopt quotas to manage demand. Developing an understanding of the psychological correlates of panic buying can provide targets for public messaging aimed at curbing the behaviour.

Objective

The study aimed to identify the psychological, individual difference, and demographic factors associated with increased purchasing of non-perishable, cleaning, and hygiene products during COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia.

Methods

The study used a cross-sectional design (N = 790) with online survey measures administered to community members in Australia during April and May 2020. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Results

Structural equation models revealed that 1) attitudes, subjective norms, and risk perceptions predicted increased purchasing of non-perishable products; 2) attitudes, risk perceptions, social anxiety sensitivity, and the non-impulsivity facet of trait self-control predicted increased purchasing of hygiene products; and 3) attitudes and risk perceptions predicted increased purchasing of cleaning products.

Conclusion

Findings provide an understanding of the factors that were associated with panic buying during COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia. Future studies should investigate whether messages designed to influence risk perceptions, attitudes, and subjective norms are effective in curbing the behaviour.

中文翻译：

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是时候囤货了吗？了解 COVID-19 大流行期间的恐慌性购买

摘要

背景

为减少 COVID-19 传播而采取的封锁措施引发了消费者购买行为的急剧增加，这被称为恐慌性购买。恐慌性购买会造成不利后果，因为它会导致产品短缺并扰乱供应链，迫使零售商采用配额来管理需求。了解恐慌性购买的心理关联可以为旨在遏制这种行为的公共信息传递提供目标。

客观的

该研究旨在确定与澳大利亚 COVID-19 封锁期间增加购买不易腐烂、清洁和卫生产品相关的心理、个体差异和人口统计因素。

方法

该研究采用横断面设计（N  = 790），并在 2020 年 4 月和 2020 年 5 月期间对澳大利亚的社区成员进行了在线调查。使用结构方程模型对数据进行了分析。

结果

结构方程模型显示 1) 态度、主观规范和风险认知预测不易腐烂产品的购买量增加；2) 态度、风险认知、社交焦虑敏感性和特质自我控制的非冲动性方面预测卫生用品的购买量增加；3) 态度和风险认知预示着清洁产品购买量的增加。

结论

调查结果有助于了解在澳大利亚 COVID-19 封锁期间与恐慌性购买相关的因素。未来的研究应该调查旨在影响风险认知、态度和主观规范的信息是否能有效地遏制这种行为。