Skip to main content

Are You Impulsively Clicking Your Way to Shopping Ill-Being? Exploring the Link Between Risk-Taking, Apps, and Consumer Behavior Cover

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Are You Impulsively Clicking Your Way to Shopping Ill-Being? Exploring the Link Between Risk-Taking, Apps, and Consumer Behavior

Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Alexandru-Filip Popovici, Denisa Cristina-Alina Berceanu, Cristina-Marina Ghiță and Gabriel Lazăr

Open Access

|Jun 2026

Abstract

The growing use of mobile shopping applications has transformed consumer behavior, highlighting the need to better understand the psychological factors that drive digital purchasing and its potential impact on well-being. This study examined the roles of impulsive buying, risk-taking, and shopping ill-being in digital consumer behavior among adult consumers using Structural Equation Modelling and mediation model. Results indicated that impulsive buying was the only consistent factor related to digital shopping engagement, being positively related to both the number of installed applications and openness to new applications. In addition, impulsive buying partially mediated the association between risk-taking and shopping ill-being. These findings underscore the role of impulsive buying behavior in shaping both digital engagement and shopping-related well-being, offering valuable insights into consumer-technology interactions.

References

Achtziger, A., Hubert, M., Kenning, P., Raab, G., & Reisch, L. (2015). Debt out of control: The links between self-control, compulsive buying, and real debts. Journal Of Economic Psychology, 49, 141–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2015.04.003
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ahn, J., & Kwon, J. (2022). The role of trait and emotion in cruise customers’ impulsive buying behavior: an empirical study. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 30(3), 320–333. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254x.2020.1810743
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Akram, U., Hui, P., Khan, M. K., Tanveer, Y., Mehmood, K., & Ahmad, W. (2018). How website quality affects online impulse buying: Moderating effects of sales promotion and credit card use. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 30(1), 235-256.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Agarwal, R., & Prasad, J. (1998). A conceptual and operational definition of personal innovativeness in the domain of information technology. Information systems research, 9(2), 204-215. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.9.2.204
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Banares, M. V., Baniqued, A. M., Landicho, A. C. A., Rose, M., & Soriano, J. R. (2020). Cognitive and affective aspects of male and female in impulsive buying tendency on online shopping. Journal of Applied Managerial, 5(1), 431–441
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Baumeister, R. (2002). Yielding to Temptation: Self-Control Failure, Impulsive Purchasing, and Consumer Behavior, Journal of Consumer Research, 28(4), 670–676. https://doi.org/10.1086/338209
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Billieux, J., Rochat, L., Rebetez, M. M. L., & Van der Linden, M. (2008). Are all facets of impulsivity related to self-reported compulsive buying behavior?. Personality and Individual Differences, 44(6), 1432-1442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2007.12.011
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Billieux, J., Van der Linden, M., & Rochat, L. (2008). The role of impulsivity in actual and problematic use of the mobile phone. Applied Cognitive Psychology: The Official Journal of the Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 22(9), 1195-1210. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.1429
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Darrat, A. A., Darrat, M. A., & Darrat, M. A. (2023). Does wanting more lead to losing control? Examining the psychological drivers of compulsive buying. Young Consumers, 24(1), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-01-2022-1453
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dittmar, H. (2005). Compulsive buying - a growing concern? An examination of gender, age, and endorsement of materialistic values as predictors. British Journal of Psychology, 96(4), 467–491. https://doi.org/10.1348/000712605X53533
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dholakia, U. M. (2000). Temptation and resistance: An integrated model of consumption impulse formation and enactment. Psychology & Marketing, 17(11), 955-982. https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6793(200011)17:11<955::AID-MAR3>3.0.CO;2-J
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dreves, P. A., Blackhart, G. C., & McBee, M. T. (2020). Do behavioral measures of self-control assess construct-level variance? Journal of Research in Personality, 88(104000), 104000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2020.104000
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ekici, A., Joseph Sirgy, M., Lee, D.-J., Yu, G. B., & Bosnjak, M. (2018). The effects of shopping well-being and shopping ill-being on consumer life satisfaction. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 13(2), 333–353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-017-9524-9
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Exler, A., Hornberger, T., Beigl, M. (2021). Investigating Correlations Between Usage of Communication Apps and Instant Messenger and a Smartphone User’s Extraversion. In: Ahad, M.A.R., Inoue, S., Roggen, D., Fujinami, K. (eds) Activity and Behavior Computing. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol 204. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8944-7_14
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Flight, R. L., Rountree, M. M., & Beatty, S. E. (2012). Feeling The Urge: Affect in Impulsive and Compulsive Buying. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 20(4), 453–466. https://doi.org/10.2753/mtp1069-6679200407
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gentina, E., Shrum, L. J., & Lowrey, T. M. (2018). Coping with loneliness through materialism: Strategies matter for adolescent development of unethical behaviors. Journal of Business Ethics, 152, 103-122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3329-x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Iyer, G. R., Blut, M., Hong Xiao, S., & Grewal, D. (2019). Impulse Buying: A Meta-Analytic Review. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 48(3), 384–404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-019-00670-w
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jain, A., Srivastava, D. S., & Shukla, A. (2023). Self-control and compulsive buying behavior: The mediating role of ill-being perception. Cogent Business & Management, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2286673
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kim, D. J., Ferrin, D. L., & Rao, H. R. (2008). A trust-based consumer decision-making model in electronic commerce: The role of trust, perceived risk, and their antecedents. Decision support systems, 44(2), 544-564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2007.07.001
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lee, S. H., & Workman, J. E. (2018). Consumer tendency to regret, compulsive buying, gender, and fashion time-of-adoption groups. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 11(3), 265-276. https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2017.1423518
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Liu, Y., Pu, B., Guan, Z., & Yang, Q. (2016). Online customer experience and its relationship to repurchase intention: An empirical case of online travel agencies in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 21(10), 1085–1099. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2015.1094495
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jun, J., Lee, K. J., & Kim, B. G. (2016). Factors affecting user acceptance of mobile commerce services. Asia pacific journal of information systems, 26(4), 489-508. https://doi.org/10.14329/apjis.2016.26.4.489
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Karbasivar, A., & Yarahmadi, H. (2011). Evaluating effective factors on consumer impulse buying behavior. Asian Journal of Business Management Studies, 2(4), 174-181.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kasilingam, D. L. (2020). Understanding the attitude and intention to use smartphone chatbots for shopping. Technology in Society, 62, 101280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101280
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kazancoglu, I., & Demir, B. (2021). Analysing flow experience on repurchase intention in e-retailing during COVID-19. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-10-2020-042
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kim, M., Seong, G., Jeon, M. J., Jung, Y. C., & Lee, D. (2024). The mediating effect of attentional impulsivity between mindfulness and problematic smartphone use. BMC psychiatry, 24(1), 294. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05708-0
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Megías-Robles, A., Cándido, A., Maldonado, A., Baltruschat, S., & Catena, A. (2022). Differences between risk perception and risk-taking are related to impulsivity levels. International journal of clinical and health psychology, 22(3), 100318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2022.100318
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mei, S., Chai, J., Wang, S.-B., Ng, C. H., Ungvari, G. S., & Xiang, Y.-T. (2018). Mobile Phone Dependence, Social Support and Impulsivity in Chinese University Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(3), 504. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030504
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nanda, A. P., Banerji, D., & Singh, N. (2023). Situational factors of compulsive buying and the well-being outcomes: What we know and what we need to know. Journal of Macromarketing, 43(3), 384–402. https://doi.org/10.1177/02761467231180091
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nicolai, J., Darancó, S., & Moshagen, M. (2016). Effects of mood state on impulsivity in pathological buying. Psychiatry Research, 244, 351-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.08.009
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nicholson, N., Soane, E., Fenton‐O’Creevy, M., & Willman, P. (2005). Personality and domain‐specific risk taking. Journal of Risk Research, 8(2), 157–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/1366987032000123856
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Olsen, S. O., Khoi, N. H., & Tuu, H. H. (2021). The “Well-Being” and “Ill-Being” of Online Impulsive and Compulsive Buying on Life Satisfaction: The Role of Self-Esteem and Harmony in Life. Journal of Macromarketing, 42(1), 027614672110487. https://doi.org/10.1177/02761467211048751
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Olsen, S. O., & Tuu, H. H. (2025). Greed, generosity and online compulsive buying: consequences for negative emotions and harmonyin life. European Journal of Marketing, 59(12), 2858-2885. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJM-01-2024-0049
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Park, J., Jeong, J. E., & Rho, M. J. (2021). Predictors of habitual and addictive smartphone behavior in problematic smartphone use. Psychiatry Investigation, 18(2), 118. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0288
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pavlou, P. A. (2003). Consumer acceptance of electronic commerce: Integrating trust and risk with the technology acceptance model. International journal of electronic commerce, 7(3), 101-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/10864415.2003.11044275
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rasool, A. & Farooq, S. (2023). Investigating the Relationship between Compulsive Smartphone Use and Impulsive Buying: Role of Self-Control. Journal of Human Dynamics. 1. 31-45. 10.55627/jhd.001.01.0699
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rose, P., & Segrist, D. J. (2014). Negative and positive urgency may both be risk factors for compulsive buying. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 3(2), 128-132. https://doi.org/10.1556/jba.3.2014.011
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rosenbaum, G. M., & Hartley, C. A. (2019). Developmental perspectives on risky and impulsive choice. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 374(1766), 20180133. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2018.0133
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Secapramana, L. V. H., Magdalena, G. J., & Yuwanto, L. (2021). Impulsive buying, post-purchase regret, and credit card. Advances in Economics. In 2nd International Conference on Business and Management of Technology (ICONBMT 2020) (pp. 5-10). Atlantis Press
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
She, L., Rasiah, R., Waheed, H., & Pahlevan Sharif, S. (2021). Excessive use of social networking sites and financial well-being among young adults: the mediating role of online compulsive buying. Young Consumers, 22(2), 272-289. https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-11-2020-1252
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Stocchi, L., Pourazad, N., Michaelidou, N., Tanusondjaja, A., & Harrigan, P. (2021). Marketing research on Mobile apps: past, present and future. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 50(2), 195–225. springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-021-00815-w
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Strack, F., & Deutsch, R. (2004). Reflective and impulsive determinants of social behavior. Personality and social psychology review, 8(3), 220-247. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr0803
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tarka, P. (2020). Influence of materialism on compulsive buying behavior: General similarities and differences related to studies on young adult consumers in Poland and US. Journal of International Consumer Marketing, 32(3), 243–267. https://doi.org/10.1080/08961530.2019.1695240
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Teo, S. C., Oh, T. H., & Chan, J. L. (2020). Factors affecting impulsive buying behaviour- Evidence from Malaysia. Global Business and Management Research: An International Journal, 12(2), 1-15.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tifferet, S., & Herstein, R. (2012). Gender differences in brand commitment, impulse buying, and hedonic consumption. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 21(3), 176–182. https://doi.org/10.1108/10610421211228793
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tran, V. D., & Nguyen, T. D. (2022). The impact of security, individuality, reputation, and consumer attitudes on purchase intention of online shopping: The evidence in Vietnam. Cogent Psychology, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2022.2035530
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Olsen, S. O., Khoi, N. H., & Tuu, H. H. (2022). The “well-being” and “ill-being” of online impulsive and compulsive buying on life satisfaction: The role of self-esteem and Harmony in life. Journal of Macromarketing, 42(1), 128–145. https://doi.org/10.1177/02761467211048751
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Peltonen, E., Lagerspetz, E., Hamberg, J., Mehrotra, A., Musolesi, M., Nurmi, P., & Tarkoma, S. (2018, September). The hidden image of mobile apps: geographic, demographic, and cultural factors in mobile usage. In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services (pp. 1-12). https://doi.org/10.1145/3229434.3229474
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Venkatesh, V., Thong, J. Y. L., & Xu, X. (2012). Consumer Acceptance and Use of Information Technology: Extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. MIS Quarterly, 36(1), 157–178. https://doi.org/10.2307/41410412
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Verplanken, B., & Herabadi, A. (2001). Individual differences in impulse buying tendency: Feeling and no thinking. European Journal of personality, 15(S1), S71-S83. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.423
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Vijay, J., & Kumar, I. M. (2020). A theoretical background on consumers impulse buying behaviour. The International Journal of Recent Technology & Engineering (IJRTE), 8(6), 2769–2774
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Weber, E.U., Blais, A.-R. and Betz, N.E. (2002), A domain-specific risk-attitude scale: measuring risk perceptions and risk behaviors. J. Behav. Decis. Making, 15: 263-290. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdm.414
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Williams, A. D., & Grisham, J. R. (2012). Impulsivity, emotion regulation, and mindful attentional focus in compulsive buying. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 451–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-011-9384-9
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhang, L., Zhu, J., & Liu, Q. (2012). A meta-analysis of mobile commerce adoption and the moderating effect of culture. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(5), 1902–1911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.05.008
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zheng, A., Pahlen, S., Vo, T. T., Lawrence, F., Dungore, F., Lor, E., Bowman, N. D., Corley, R. P., Friedman, N. P., Wadsworth, S. J., & Reynolds, C. A. (2024). A genetically informed study of digital screen time, video game play, and impulsivity in established adulthood. Computers in Human Behavior, 161(108401), 108401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2024.108401
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zuckerman, M. (2007). Sensation seeking and risky behavior (Vol. 72). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjap-2026-0004 | Journal eISSN: 2392-845X

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 26 - 34

Submitted on: Jun 2, 2025

|

Accepted on: May 14, 2026

|

Published on: Jun 13, 2026

Published by: Sciendo

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

Impulse Behavior,

Shopping Ill-being,

Related subjects:

Social sciences,

Applied psychology

© 2026 Alexandru-Filip Popovici, Denisa Cristina-Alina Berceanu, Cristina-Marina Ghiță, Gabriel Lazăr, published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

Previous article