Using photo‐elicitation and interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore possessions as links to self‐concept and the identities of others in hoarding disorder

Kings, Christopher; Knight, Tess; Moulding, Richard

doi:10.1111/papt.12211

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Similar to anthropomorphism, the use of possessions as self-extensions is a major function of treasured possessions for most people and has also been reported in several qualitative studies with HD participants (Kellett et al, 2010;Kings, Knight, & Moulding, 2018;Roster, 2015). The only quantitative study in this area on HD was conducted by Dozier, Taylor, Castriotta, Mayes, and Ayers (2017).…”

Section: Anthropomorphism and Possessions As Self-extensionsmentioning

confidence: 77%

Unpacking the construct of emotional attachment to objects and its association with hoarding symptoms

Yap

Grisham

2019

J Behav Addict

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Background and aims: The appetitive aspects of hoarding disorder, such as the compulsive acquisition and saving of objects, are akin to other behavioral addictions. Underpinning these appetitive features is the strong emotional and sentimental attachments that hoarding sufferers have for their possessions. Different facets of object attachment have been identified including anthropomorphism, insecure object attachment, possessions as an extension of identity, possessions as a repository of autobiographical memories, and possessions as a source of comfort and safety. The aim of this study was to examine the association between each of these facets and hoarding symptoms independent of non-sentimental hoarding beliefs, depression, and anxiety. Methods: Participants were 532 individuals recruited via Turkprime who completed online self-report questionnaires on hoarding symptoms, hoarding beliefs, depression, anxiety, and the facets of object attachment. Pearson's correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results: The results showed that all facets of object attachment were positively correlated with hoarding symptoms. After accounting for other non-sentimental hoarding beliefs, depression, and anxiety, three facets made significant unique contributions to hoarding symptoms: insecure object attachment, anthropomorphism, and possessions as a repository of autobiographical memories. Discussion and conclusions: Based on these findings, we propose a compensatory model to explain how the different facets of object attachment may be implicated in hoarding. Further research into ways of reducing anthropomorphism, insecure object attachment, and possessions as memories are warranted.

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Section: Anthropomorphism and Possessions As Self-extensionsmentioning

confidence: 77%

Unpacking the construct of emotional attachment to objects and its association with hoarding symptoms

Yap

Grisham

2019

J Behav Addict

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“…This is consistent with evidence within the HD literature where the theme of self-object connectedness is emerging. For example, Kings et al (2018) interviewed ten participants in relation to the possessions that they identified as relevant to themselves or others. As well as reporting that objects were reminders of important relationships and experiences, participants reported that objects were integral to their sense of self-identity.…”

Section: Factor 3: Stability and Predictabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

What is underneath all that stuff? A Q-methodological exploration of profiles of beliefs and vulnerabilities in hoarding disorder

Tinlin

Beckwith²,

Gregory³

et al. 2022

Behav. Cogn. Psychother.

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Background: Hoarding disorder (HD) can be understood through the cognitive behavioural model in the context of vulnerability factors (for example, personality traits, co-morbidities, traumatic life events) and beliefs about possessions (for example, identity, emotional attachment, memory, utility). Less is known about the strength of these hypothesised beliefs, or how they interact within the hoarding population, with researchers suggesting that specifying beliefs would improve treatment outcomes. Aim: The current study explored beliefs in HD, utilising Q-methodology to explore both categories of beliefs and the interactions between these. Moreover, Q-methodology allowed for comparison of the individuals endorsing specific categories of beliefs. Method: A comprehensive list of beliefs about possessions was developed. Thirty-two adults with clinically significant levels of HD completed a Q-sort task, alongside measures of proposed vulnerabilities, including co-morbidity, trauma and attachment style. Results: Q-factor analysis produced four profiles consisting of groups of participants who endorsed the same beliefs and had shared characteristics: (1) ‘Expression of identity’, (2) ‘Responsibility and morality’, (3) ‘Stability and predictability’, and (4) ‘Objects as emotional and meaningful beings’. Discussion: The profiles were distinguished by different categories of beliefs and co-morbid symptoms, suggesting that more targeted assessment tools and interventions would be beneficial to account for this heterogeneity within the clinical population. In particular, beliefs about identity and self-concept formed the largest profile, and beliefs about stability and predictability introduce a novel category of beliefs.

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“…While issues regarding definition continue to persist in the literature, there are some who believe that a diagnostic label of “hoarding disorder” is unhelpful and rooted in conflicting views over value (Falkoff, 2021), with the argument that the meaning of an object is only ever personal. Qualitive studies have emphasized the value individuals who hoard attribute to material things and highlighted feelings of “comfort” and “security” in surrounding oneself with their things (Andersen et al., 2008; Kings et al., 2020; Subramaniam et al., 2020). Indeed hoarding as it is encountered in the clinical realm is described very differently, with the realities of hoards and hoarders highly heterogeneous (O'Connor, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While much has been written on the subject (David et al, 2021;Mathes et al, 2020;Mathews et al, 2014;Tale et al, 2019;Timpano et al, 2016;Yap & Grisham, 2019), less is known about the meaning of the hoard and the experiences the individual. While it appears in hoarding that individuals relate to things in a highly invested/engaged manner, few studies have focused on the subjective experience of the person who hoards, with the available qualitative research studies concluding there remains a significant gap in our understanding of the person at the center of hoarding (Bratiotis et al, 2019;Brien et al, 2018;Kings et al, 2020;Subramaniam et al, 2020;Taylor et al, 2019). Some research that is concerned with the individual and collective meaning of hoarding has looked to the contents amassed during hoarding and investigated the main categories of items saved.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“It's not yours. It's mine”: A qualitative study exploring the experience of hoarding

Mulligan‐Rabbitt

O’Connor

Brien

2023

Appl Psychoanal Studies

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Our understanding of the meaning of hoarding is still in development. Thematic readings of the literature suggest that hoarding involves a very distinctive way of understanding the world, with the act of acquiring and retaining of material comprising in a form of psychological home or safe space. The connection of the person to their hoard requires further exploration, as does the place that this relationship has with the wider world of society and culture. This study sought to investigate experiences of persons who hoard and their relationship to their hoarded material. A phenomenologically‐oriented qualitative research design was used to investigate 14 participants' experiences of hoarding. Analysis of transcripts was conducted using thematic moment by moment analysis consistent with the phenomenological approach. To give further clarification and elucidation to the meaning of hoarding a psychoanalytically informed analysis of the material was included. Three themes emerged from this process: Firstly, “It's not yours. It's mine”; secondly, “Keeping within the walls”; and thirdly, “Sorting through.” The emergent themes reflect the creative and inventive ways participants related to hoarded material. Themes are discussed in relation to relevant psychoanalytical concepts, including Winnicott's Transitional Objects, with difficulties observed in hoarding paralleling difficulties transitioning out into the world of relating, as well as the part that cultural unconscious processes play here. Aspects of Bion's container‐contained function are also discussed. Implications for future research and working clinically with people who hoard are discussed, particularly the handling of hoarded material.

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Using photo‐elicitation and interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore possessions as links to self‐concept and the identities of others in hoarding disorder

Cited by 14 publications

References 58 publications

Unpacking the construct of emotional attachment to objects and its association with hoarding symptoms

Unpacking the construct of emotional attachment to objects and its association with hoarding symptoms

What is underneath all that stuff? A Q-methodological exploration of profiles of beliefs and vulnerabilities in hoarding disorder

“It's not yours. It's mine”: A qualitative study exploring the experience of hoarding

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