Hoarding disorder (HD) is characterized by an inability to discard possessions that contributes to clutter that interferes with the use of one’s home. One of the core features of HD is an emotional attachment to possessions. Initial theoretical work suggests individuals with HD may become overly attached to possessions in an effort to compensate for poor interpersonal connections, though little empirical work has explored this hypothesis. The current study provided an initial investigation of the association between social disconnectedness, attachment to possessions, and saving behaviors. The sample comprised 117 undergraduate students selected for reporting hoarding symptoms above the non-clinical mean (i.e., 23) on the Saving Inventory-Revised. Participants were randomized to a social inclusion or social exclusion condition using the Cyberball paradigm. Participants completed a series of self-report questionnaires and behavioral tasks at baseline, pre-manipulation, and post-manipulation that assessed social disconnectedness, attachment to possessions, and hoarding behaviors. Contrary to hypotheses, baseline social disconnectedness was not significantly correlated with attachment to possessions nor hoarding behaviors. Individuals who were socially excluded saved significantly more items than did those who were socially included, though this was not due to changes in attachment to possessions. Future studies should further investigate the association between interpersonal processes and hoarding symptoms in a more severe sample and using different methodology. Though initial hypotheses were largely not supported, the current study nonetheless provides an important initial examination of the associations between interpersonal and object relationships in HD. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester 2018. / July 10, 2018. / Includes bibliographical references. / Norman B. Schmidt, Professor Directing Thesis; Jesse R. Cougle, Committee Member; Colleen M. Ganley, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_647261 |
| Contributors | Mathes, Brittany M. (author), Schmidt, Norman B. (professor directing thesis), Cougle, Jesse R., 1975- (committee member), Ganley, Colleen M. (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Psychology (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text, master thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (57 pages), computer, application/pdf |
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