Prevalence and correlates of hoarding behavior in a community-based sample

Behav Res Ther. 2008 Jul;46(7):836-44. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2008.04.004. Epub 2008 Apr 13.

Abstract

Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of hoarding behavior in the community. We estimated the prevalence and evaluated correlates of hoarding in 742 participants in the Hopkins Epidemiology of Personality Disorder Study. The prevalence of hoarding was nearly 4% (5.3%, weighted) and was greater in older than younger age groups, greater in men than women, and inversely related to household income. Hoarding was associated with alcohol dependence; paranoid, schizotypal, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder traits; insecurity from home break-ins and excessive physical discipline before 16 years of age; and parental psychopathology. These findings suggest that hoarding may be relatively prevalent and that alcohol dependence, personality disorder traits, and specific childhood adversities are associated with hoarding in the community.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child of Impaired Parents / psychology
  • Compulsive Behavior / epidemiology*
  • Compulsive Behavior / etiology
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maryland / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors