BSAS

Overview

The Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale (BSAS) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess shopping addiction. Developed by researchers at the University of Bergen, this scale is used in both clinical and research settings to identify individuals with problematic shopping behaviors that may indicate a shopping addiction. The BSAS provides a concise and reliable measure of the extent to which shopping habits have become compulsive and uncontrollable.

Purpose

The primary purposes of the BSAS are:

• Screening for Shopping Addiction: Identifying individuals who may be experiencing compulsive shopping behaviors.
• Diagnostic Aid: Assisting clinicians in diagnosing shopping addiction by providing preliminary data.
• Monitoring Treatment Progress: Evaluating changes in shopping behaviors over the course of treatment.

Structure

The BSAS consists of 28 items, each describing different aspects of shopping addiction. Respondents are asked to rate their agreement with each statement on a scale, indicating how often they experience these behaviors. The items cover various dimensions of shopping addiction, including:

• Salience
• Mood modification
• Tolerance
• Withdrawal
• Conflict
• Relapse

Application

• Clinical Use: The BSAS is used by psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals to assess shopping addiction. It aids in the identification and diagnosis of shopping addiction.
• Research Use: In research settings, the BSAS is used to study the prevalence and correlates of shopping addiction. It is also employed in clinical trials to measure the effectiveness of interventions targeting compulsive shopping behaviors.

Psychometric Properties

The BSAS demonstrates strong psychometric properties:

• Reliability: The BSAS exhibits high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients typically above 0.90, indicating that the items consistently measure shopping addiction. Test-retest reliability is also high, supporting the stability of the measure over time.
• Validity: The BSAS shows good convergent validity, correlating well with other established measures of addiction and compulsive behaviors. It also displays strong discriminant validity, effectively distinguishing between individuals with and without shopping addiction.
• Factor Structure: Factor analysis of the BSAS supports a multidimensional structure, reflecting the different domains of shopping addiction it aims to measure. The factor structure is consistent across various populations, underscoring its robustness and applicability.

Translation and Adaptation

The BSAS has been translated into multiple languages and adapted for use in different cultural contexts, ensuring its relevance and accuracy in diverse populations. This widespread applicability makes the BSAS a valuable tool for assessing shopping addiction globally.

Conclusion

The Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale (BSAS) is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing shopping addiction. Its strong psychometric properties, comprehensive coverage of shopping addiction behaviors, and adaptability across cultures make it an essential tool for clinicians and researchers. The BSAS facilitates the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of shopping addiction, contributing significantly to the understanding and management of this condition.