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Why did (some) consumers buy toilet papers? A cross‐cultural examination of panic buying as a maladaptive coping response to COVID‐19

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  • Hyunjoo Im
  • Naeun Lauren Kim
  • Ha Kyung Lee

Abstract

The high uncertainty around the COVID‐19 pandemic elicited an unprecedented level of panic buying during the early months. Using the framework of stress and coping, the current study conceptualized and tested a theoretical model that predicts individuals' panic buying in two countries. A survey of US (n = 311) and Korean consumers (n = 347) revealed that negative emotions (loneliness and anxiety) contributed to panic buying, yet two important coping resources, resilience and social support, were effective in protecting consumers from engaging in a maladaptive coping strategy. The hypothesis that collectivism (vs. individualism) would make consumers rely on social (vs. personal) coping resources was partially supported. The results highlight the unique circumstance of the global pandemic in which social support works as both a resource for healthy coping and a source to increase negative emotions, and call for future investigation of the complex role of social support in the context of stress and coping theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyunjoo Im & Naeun Lauren Kim & Ha Kyung Lee, 2022. "Why did (some) consumers buy toilet papers? A cross‐cultural examination of panic buying as a maladaptive coping response to COVID‐19," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(1), pages 391-413, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jconsa:v:56:y:2022:i:1:p:391-413
    DOI: 10.1111/joca.12426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Krecik, Markus, 2024. "Preference dynamics: A procedurally rational model of time and effort allocation," Discussion Papers 2024/1, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
    2. Elizabeth A. Minton, 2022. "Pandemics and consumers' mental well‐being," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(1), pages 5-14, March.

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