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Experiential Avoidance in Individuals with Hoarding Disorder

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Abstract

Hoarding disorder (HD) has received increased research attention. A cognitive-behavioral model implicates dysfunctional beliefs about possessions in these problems. Although this model has received growing support, other perspectives are needed. A recent investigation in an undergraduate sample reported that experiential avoidance (EA) predicted hoarding symptoms above and beyond hoarding-specific beliefs. The present study attempted to replicate and extend those findings in a clinical sample. We compared individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for HD (N = 33) to matched healthy controls (N = 30), as well as other anxiety disorders (N = 32). Results revealed that the HD group experienced less EA compared to individuals with other anxiety disorders. Compared to healthy control individuals, those with HD experienced heightened EA, but this difference was attributable to group differences in the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Within the HD group, EA was not related to any domain of hoarding symptoms. In contrast, beliefs about possessions predicted hoarding behaviors (particularly excessive acquisition and difficulty discarding) above and beyond general distress. Implications for the role of EA in HD are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF). We also wish to thank Joseph Franklin, Kent Lee, Megan Puzia and Victoria Spring for their help running participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 3270 (Davie Hall), Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Michael G. Wheaton, Laura E. Fabricant, Noah C. Berman & Jonathan S. Abramowitz

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  1. Michael G. Wheaton
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  2. Laura E. Fabricant
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  3. Noah C. Berman
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  4. Jonathan S. Abramowitz
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Correspondence to Jonathan S. Abramowitz.

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Wheaton, M.G., Fabricant, L.E., Berman, N.C. et al. Experiential Avoidance in Individuals with Hoarding Disorder. Cogn Ther Res 37, 779–785 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9511-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9511-2

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