THE HOARDING OF POSSESSIONS

Three studies of nonfood hoarding are reported. Findings support the r eliability and validity of a Hoarding Scale. Furthermore, the findings indicate a number of features of hoarding behavior. Hoarding was asso ciated with indecisiveness, perfectionism (especially maladaptive eval uative concern) and obsessive compulsive symptoms among college studen ts and community volunteers. Hoarders tended to buy extra things in or der not to be caught without a needed item, and they carried more 'jus t-in-case' items in purses, pockets and cars. Onset of hoarding was ch ildhood and adolescence. Hoarders had more first degree relatives who engaged in excessive saving than nonhoarders, and hoarders were less l ikely to be married. There was no evidence to suggest that hoarding wa s related to material deprivation. A model was suggested which concept ualizes hoarding as an avoidance behavior tied to indecisiveness and p erfectionism. Saving allows the hoarder to avoid the decision required to throw something away, and the worry which accompanies that decisio n (worry that a mistake has been made). Also, it allows hoarders to av oid emotional reactions which accompany parting with cherished possess ions, and results in increased perception of control.