Which type of spender shops to cure emotional distress?

The choice of therapeutic spenders as the correct answer is based on the recognition that this type of spender engages in shopping primarily to alleviate emotional distress or negative feelings. Therapeutic spenders often turn to retail therapy as a coping mechanism, believing that purchasing new items will provide a temporary boost to their mood or help them escape from their problems. This behavior is rooted in the psychological response to stress and unhappiness, where the act of shopping becomes a form of self-soothing.

In contrast, avoidance spenders typically do not focus on shopping as a means to address emotions but rather engage in spending to avoid facing their problems or challenges. Fanatical spenders are driven by an obsession with buying, often accumulating items regardless of their emotional state, while esteem spenders concentrate on purchasing goods that enhance their self-image or social standing, rather than using shopping specifically as a remedy for emotional distress.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for those in financial counseling, as it allows for tailored approaches to help clients who may be using shopping as a means of emotional coping.