A latent factor approach to the Saving Inventory - Revised: Congeneric evaluation of construct and content validity

Inconsistencies have been identified in the three-factor structure and item loadings of the most commonly used self-report hoarding screening tool, the Saving Inventory - Revised (SI-R), which assesses difficulty discarding, clutter and acquisition. The current study aimed to confirm the factor structure of the SI-R using congeneric modelling, and evaluate the construct and content validity of this measure.

139 participants with self-identified hoarding completed the SI-R. Congeneric structural equation modelling was then performed to validate the SI-R factor structure.

The three-factor structure of the SI-R was confirmed as a valid, reliable and good fitting model. However, the difficulty discarding and clutter subscales were required to covary.

The SI-R was confirmed as an appropriate screening tool for hoarding severity; however, revision of item wording may improve content validity. Future research could consider exploring the relationships between a range of hoarding-related constructs and the differential endorsement of SI-R subscales.

As data were collected during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, panic buying and hoarding-related acquiring behaviours may have been exacerbated. In addition, the diagnostic status of participants was not verified, despite the inclusion of individuals endorsing clinically significant hoarding symptoms.