Compulsive hoarding: a site‐security model and associated psychological treatment strategies

Abstract

AbstractCompulsive hoarding presents a challenge to researchers and therapists in terms of conceptualization/engagement in treatment/associated intervention outcomes and is generally identified as an unresolved clinical challenge. Although a wide range of factors associated with human compulsive hoarding have relatively recently begun to emerge, subsequent theorizing has tended to ignore the vast amount of extant animal evidence available. This study identifies a key biological theory of hoarding (the security hypothesis) and attempts to apply its assumptions and concepts to human hoarding. As a result, human hoarding is recognized as a possible form of site‐secure larder hoarding, which is observed in a huge variety of other species. The manifestations of hoarding are related to secure site behaviours in humans, with the possible prior selective advantage of hoarding expounded with reference to the current maladaptive behaviours associated with creating and maintaining secure sites. A division is identified between the ‘micro’ behavioural maintaining factors of hoarding and the ‘macro’ outcome distress variables. The psychological treatment implications of a secure site conceptualization of compulsive hoarding are identified and detailed in each section, with particular reference to ‘just in case’ hoarding cognitions. The development of the site‐security model enables study hypotheses to be set regarding hoarding behaviours, that can be empirically addressed in future research. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.