From Passion to Obsession: Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Compulsive Sport Consumption

Sport consumption involves complex psychological processes – facilitating emotional highs and lows that reinforce and perpetuate habitual behaviors. The current work contextually broadens the scope of compulsive consumption research by developing and validating a scale to measure compulsive sport consumption (CSC). Three studies seek to: (1) qualitatively explore CSC and probe foundational issues; (2) begin the process of scale development through item generation, purification, and validation; (3) classify compulsive sport consumers, and examine the consequences of CSC. The resulting unidimensional scale assesses the habitual and obsessive consumption of sport wherein the pattern of behavior is associated with a sense of limited control. Results shed light on the unexpected prominence of CSC and expose several interesting psychological and behavioral relationships. Implications for the recognition and study of CSC revolve around consumer well-being and the modern marketing of sport.