Hoarding Behaviors and Alcohol Use: The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation

Despite recent research establishing high rates of comorbidity between hoarding disorder and alcohol use disorders (AUD), no studies have systemically examined the associations between symptoms of hoarding and alcohol use. Moreover, no studies have explored potential mechanisms that may help to explain these relations.

Thus, the current study was designed to examine the associations between hoarding and AUD symptoms, as well as the mediating role of emotion dysregulation.

Self-report measures of hoarding, depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and emotion regulation were collected in a sample of 574 adults (M age = 35.43, SD = 12.57; 62% female).

Even when controlling for depression and anxiety, AUD symptoms were associated with overall hoarding severity (β =.23, p <.001) as well as acquiring symptoms (β =.16, p =.03). Further, the relation between hoarding symptoms and AUD symptoms was mediated by difficulties regulating emotions (B =.04, 95% CI [.02,.06]). Conclusions/Importance: Results of the current study suggest that increased alcohol use may be one way in which individuals with hoarding symptoms attempt to regulate their emotions.