Celebrity Worship, Fantasy Proneness, Compulsive buying and Responsibility among College Students

By : Subhashree S, Julisa RS, Divya Dovina T

Page No: 189-199

Abstract:
In recent decades, the rise of social media and digital culture has intensified celebrity worship, especially among Generation Z. This study explores the relationship between celebrity worship, fantasy proneness, compulsive buying behaviour, and responsibility among college students. Participants (N=171) aged 17–25 completed the Celebrity Attitude Scale, Creative Experiences Questionnaire, Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale, and the Responsibility Questionnaire. Results revealed significant positive correlations between celebrity worship and fantasy proneness, and between fantasy proneness and compulsive buying. Compulsive buying was negatively correlated with both personal and social responsibility. ANOVA results showed sports personalities elicited the highest celebrity worship scores. These findings suggest that excessive admiration for celebrities and fantasy immersion may increase susceptibility to compulsive consumption, moderated by an individual’s sense of responsibility. The study underscores the need for interventions such as media literacy and responsibility training to reduce unhealthy consumption and celebrity obsession.

Authors:
Ms. Subhashree S: Post Graduate, Department of Psychology Women’s Christian College, Chennai.
Ms. Julisa RS :Post Graduate, Department of Psychology Women’s Christian College, Chennai.
Dr. Divya Dovina T,: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology Women’s Christian College, Chennai.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2025.20.02.3