An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study Investigating the Function of Hoarding

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Hoarding disorder is characterized by persistent difficulty discarding possessions.
• The precise cognitive and affective mechanisms underlying hoarding remain incompletely understood.
• Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) offers a method to study in-the-moment processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the functions of hoarding behaviors.
• To investigate the relationship between hoarding symptoms and real-time cognitive and affective processes.
• To compare individuals with higher hoarding symptoms to matched controls on these processes.

Main Methods:

• A matched-groups design comparing college students with higher hoarding symptoms (n=31) and controls (n=29).
• Utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to capture in-the-moment experiences.
• Assessed functions of acquiring, positive automatic reinforcement, emotional reactivity, experiential avoidance, mindfulness, and affect differentiation.

Main Results:

• Both groups reported acquiring possessions for positive automatic reinforcement, with no difference between groups.
• Hoarding behaviors did not predict changes in positive or negative affect.
• The higher hoarding group exhibited elevated emotional reactivity and experiential avoidance, and lower momentary mindfulness and negative affect differentiation.

Conclusions:

• Emotion regulation processes are significantly implicated in hoarding.
• Hoarding behaviors may not be an effective strategy for in-the-moment emotion regulation.
• Future research should explore the role of striving for positive affect in hoarding disorder.