Emotional Symptoms and Panic Buying during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To examine the manifestations and links between emotional symptoms and panic buying during the implementation of domiciliary quarantine measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A non-probabilistic sample of 339 residents in El Salvador, over 18 years old, answered an online questionnaire. The instrument comprised sociodemographic questions, items on perceptions of the pandemic, a panic buying scale, and the short version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed, including a path analysis. Results: Almost 40 % of the sample engaged in panic buying. Panic buying was associated with depression, anxiety, and stress, with being interested in the pandemic and the perception of disrupted routines. The path analysis showed that, indirectly, depression discouraged panic buying and anxiety encouraged it. Stress exerted an indirect positive effect mediated by the interest in the pandemic and the disruption of routines, but a direct effect on panic purchases. Conclusion: Depression, anxiety, and stress are differentially related to perceptions and behaviors associated with coping with the pandemic. Stress is an adaptive response to the demands of the situation while panic buying is a way to alleviate the negative emotions caused by the crisis. The interest in these shopping patterns must contemplate the consumerist context in which they occur as well as coping strategies linked to acquisitive power.