A Preliminary Investigation of the Role of Psychological Processes in Hoarding Stigma.

Abstract

Hoarding disorder is a highly stigmatized condition, and stigma toward hoarding may prevent treatment-seeking. This study investigated the degree to which modifiable cognitive and behavioral processes (i.e., empathy and psychological inflexibility) predict hoarding stigma. Young adults recruited from a large public university (N = 354) completed an initial baseline survey, and 322 completed a follow-up survey 4 weeks later. Perspective-taking was related to a lower desire for social distance and lower perceived difference, while stigma-related psychological flexibility was associated with lower perceived difference, disdain, and blame. Among a subsample with elevated hoarding symptoms, disdain was linked to greater self-reported willingness to use both in-person and self-help treatment. Perspective-taking and psychological flexibility may be useful targets for preventing or reducing hoarding stigma, particularly in young adults. Limitations include the use of a largely female and White college student sample.