Understanding barriers to treatment and treatment delivery preferences for individuals with symptoms of hoarding disorder: A preliminary study

Abstract

Hoarding Disorder (HD) is a common and debilitating mental health condition that is characterized by low treatment uptake and high drop-out rates. The aim of the present study was to 1) provide a preliminary evaluation of the barriers to psychological help-seeking and 2) understand psychological treatment preferences of individuals with clinically significant symptoms of HD. Fifty participants (82% female; M age = 47.82, SD = 12.92) completed the study. The most frequently cited barriers to treatment were related to cost (66%), self-reliance (58%), and lack of knowledge about treatment options (42%). Likelihood of seeking treatment for HD symptoms was low and past-treatment predicted treatment-seeking intention, while symptom severity, depression, and internalized stigma were non-significant predictors (F(4, 44) = 9.40, p < .001; R2 = 0.49). Participants indicated a preference for individually-administered treatment (41.3%) or remote low intensity treatments (30.4%), over accelerated or group therapy approaches. The study highlights that individuals with HD experience significant barriers to accessing psychological treatment for HD and providing a variety of low cost, evidence-based treatment approaches may enhance treatment uptake for this population.