The link between hoarding symptoms and interpersonal difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Hoarding is characterized by difficulties discarding, clutter, and excessive acquiring. Disruptions in interpersonal attachment and associated interpersonal difficulties have been implicated in the development and maintenance of hoarding; however, limited research has investigated the link between interpersonal functioning and hoarding. The current study examined the association between hoarding symptoms and multiple interpersonal factors in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants (N = 137) completed an online survey in Spring 2020 which included measures of perceived social support, thwarted belongingness, depression, and hoarding symptoms, including difficulties discarding and acquiring. Participants also completed an ecological momentary assessment protocol where they provided daily ratings of connectedness. At a basic level, both difficulties discarding and acquiring symptoms were correlated with greater thwarted belongingness and lower social support. These associations remained significant even after controlling for depression, with the exception of the relationship between difficulty discarding and thwarted belongingness. Greater acquiring was also associated with greater variability in daily connectedness. This study is the first to demonstrate a unique relationship between hoarding symptoms and multiple interpersonal factors, controlling for depression. Our findings suggest that interpersonal functioning is a potential mechanism underlying hoarding. Clinically, addressing interpersonal difficulties may improve the efficacy of current treatments for hoarding disorder.