Is it time to stock up? Understanding panic buying during the COVID-19 pandemic

Lockdowns to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have triggered sharp increases in consumer purchasing behaviour, labelled panic buying. Panic buying has detrimental consequences as it leads to product shortages and disrupts supply chains, forcing retailers to adopt quotas to manage demand. Developing an understanding of the psychological correlates of panic buying can provide targets for public messaging aimed at curbing the behaviour. The study aimed to identify the psychological, individual difference, and demographic factors associated with increased purchasing of non-perishable, cleaning, and hygiene products during COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia. The study used a cross-sectional design (<i>N</i> = 790) with online survey measures administered to community members in Australia during April and May 2020. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Structural equation models revealed that 1) attitudes, subjective norms, and risk perceptions predicted increased purchasing of non-perishable products; 2) attitudes, risk perceptions, social anxiety sensitivity, and the non-impulsivity facet of trait self-control predicted increased purchasing of hygiene products; and 3) attitudes and risk perceptions predicted increased purchasing of cleaning products. Findings provide an understanding of the factors that were associated with panic buying during COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia. Future studies should investigate whether messages designed to influence risk perceptions, attitudes, and subjective norms are effective in curbing the behaviour. <b>What is already known about this topic:</b>Lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 prompted substantial increases in consumer purchasing behaviour, labelled panic buying.Prior research had identified a range of individual difference factors as being associated with panic buying, including intolerance of uncertainty and distress intolerance.Identification of modifiable psychological processes, which are associated with the behaviour, is needed to inform public messaging aimed at curbing the behaviour. Lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 prompted substantial increases in consumer purchasing behaviour, labelled panic buying. Prior research had identified a range of individual difference factors as being associated with panic buying, including intolerance of uncertainty and distress intolerance. Identification of modifiable psychological processes, which are associated with the behaviour, is needed to inform public messaging aimed at curbing the behaviour. <b>What this topic adds:</b>The study provides information from a large national sample of Australians who regularly purchase groceries.Our results suggest that potentially modifiable social cognition factors were most closely associated with increases in consumer purchasing behaviour when COVID-19 lockdowns were announced.Public messaging should target attitudes, subjective norms, and risk perceptions regarding increased purchasing behaviour and future research should evaluate the effect of such messaging. The study provides information from a large national sample of Australians who regularly purchase groceries. Our results suggest that potentially modifiable social cognition factors were most closely associated with increases in consumer purchasing behaviour when COVID-19 lockdowns were announced. Public messaging should target attitudes, subjective norms, and risk perceptions regarding increased purchasing behaviour and future research should evaluate the effect of such messaging.

为遏制新冠病毒（COVID-19）传播而实施的封控措施，引发了消费者购买行为的大幅激增，该行为被定义为恐慌性抢购（panic buying）。恐慌性抢购存在诸多负面影响：不仅会造成商品短缺、扰乱供应链，还会迫使零售商采取配额制度以管控市场需求。深入解析恐慌性抢购的心理关联机制，可为旨在抑制该行为的公共宣传策略提供靶向干预方向。本研究旨在识别澳大利亚新冠封控期间，与非易腐食品、清洁用品及卫生用品购买量增加相关的心理因素、个体差异因素及人口统计学因素。研究采用横断面设计（cross-sectional design），于2020年4月至5月期间向澳大利亚社区居民开展线上问卷调查，有效样本量为790（*N*=790）。数据采用结构方程模型（Structural Equation Modelling, SEM）进行分析。结构方程模型结果显示：1）态度、主观规范与风险感知可正向预测非易腐食品的购买量增长；2）态度、风险感知、社交焦虑敏感性以及特质自我控制的非冲动性维度，可正向预测卫生用品的购买量增长；3）态度与风险感知可正向预测清洁用品的购买量增长。本研究结果阐明了澳大利亚新冠封控期间与恐慌性抢购相关的各类影响因素。未来研究可探讨针对风险感知、态度及主观规范的宣传内容，是否能有效抑制恐慌性抢购行为。**学界已有研究共识：**为遏制新冠病毒传播而实施的封控措施，推动了消费者购买行为的大幅增长，即恐慌性抢购。既往研究已识别出多种与恐慌性抢购相关的个体差异因素，包括不确定性容忍度低下与痛苦耐受不足。当前亟需明确与该行为相关的可干预心理过程，以此为旨在抑制恐慌性抢购的公共宣传工作提供科学依据。为遏制新冠病毒传播而实施的封控措施，推动了消费者购买行为的大幅增长，即恐慌性抢购。既往研究已识别出多种与恐慌性抢购相关的个体差异因素，包括不确定性容忍度低下与痛苦耐受不足。当前亟需明确与该行为相关的可干预心理过程，以此为旨在抑制恐慌性抢购的公共宣传工作提供科学依据。**本研究的学术增量：**本研究基于澳大利亚普通杂货采购者构成的大型全国性样本展开分析。结果显示，在新冠封控措施宣布实施时，可干预的社会认知因素与消费者购买行为的增幅关联最为紧密。公共宣传应针对与购买行为增长相关的态度、主观规范及风险感知开展内容设计，未来研究应评估此类宣传策略的实际干预效果。本研究基于澳大利亚普通杂货采购者构成的大型全国性样本展开分析。结果显示，在新冠封控措施宣布实施时，可干预的社会认知因素与消费者购买行为的增幅关联最为紧密。公共宣传应针对与购买行为增长相关的态度、主观规范及风险感知开展内容设计，未来研究应评估此类宣传策略的实际干预效果。