Examining the mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between perceived stress and compulsive online shopping

This study aims to examine the mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between perceived stress and compulsive online shopping. As sub-objectives, the study investigates whether individuals' levels of perceived stress, compulsive online shopping, and psychological flexibility differ based on socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, income level, marital status, and time spent on social media. The correlational survey model was used in this research. The sample consists of 565 participants aged 18-64, including 443 females and 122 males. The data were collected through the online platform Google Forms, using the Demographic Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale, Compulsive Online Shopping Scale, and Psychological Flexibility Scale. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 27.0 software package and the Hayes PROCESS macro extension. The findings indicate that psychological flexibility plays a partial mediation role in the relationship between perceived stress and compulsive online shopping. The findings were discussed within the framework of the literature, and recommendations for future research were provided.