UNDERSTANDING THE MODERATOR ROLE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ANXIETY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNET ADDICTION AND ONLINE SHOPPING ADDICTION

Abstract

Internet addiction is one of the most important drivers of online shopping addiction. During Covid-19 pandemic people had to spend more time in their homes and had to use internet more than before to do their tasks. One of the tasks that should be performed on internet is shopping. On the other hand, it’s obvious that Covid-19 pandemic has negative outcomes in terms of economy and psychology. One of the negative outcomes of pandemic is anxiety. In this study, the moderator role of Covid-19 anxiety on the relationship between internet addiction and online shopping addiction is examined. Although several studies are conducted during pandemic about the effects of pandemic this topic is not investigated. In this regard, this study is unique and suppose to add value to the related literature. The results of the analysis show that online shopping addiction consisted of three factors. Among those factors, the moderator role of Covid-19 anxiety was supported only for the negative effect factor. In other words, Covid-19 anxiety has moderating effect on the relationship between internet addiction and negative effect dimension of online shopping addiction. Finally, some suggestions were provided for the online shopping firms depending on the findings of the study.