Reactance, Decisional Procrastination, and Hesitation: A Latent Class Analysis of Clutter Behavior

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Home Organization Studies

Background:

• Home clutter, an excess of possessions, can negatively impact quality of life, affecting living spaces, social connections, emotional well-being, and finances.
• The COVID-19 pandemic prompted increased time at home, potentially leading to personal projects like home decluttering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between cognitive processes (action-state orientation, psychological reactance, decisional procrastination) and the experience of home clutter.
• To identify distinct groups based on cognitive profiles among adults struggling with clutter.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 227 American adults (average age 49.9 years).
• Utilized latent class analysis to examine differences in cognitive patterns across participants.
• Assessed self-reported cognitive processes related to decision-making and task initiation.

Main Results:

• Participants who struggled with clutter could be categorized into distinct cognitive classes.
• Individuals characterized by hesitation and indecisiveness reported more significant negative consequences of clutter.
• Action-oriented and decisive individuals experienced fewer adverse effects from clutter.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive processes, particularly decision-making and goal-directed capacities, play a crucial role in how individuals experience and manage clutter.
• Interventions aimed at enhancing decision-making and goal-directed behaviors may serve as effective strategies for preventing or mitigating the negative impacts of clutter.
• Further research should explore the emergence of hesitation and indecision during the decluttering process and develop support mechanisms for individuals prone to these cognitive patterns.