Preliminary Investigation of Objective and Subjective Experiences of Relatives of Individuals with Hoarding Behaviors

Objective: Families of individuals with hoarding symptoms report substantial burden; however, there has been no investigation of potential positive experiences. The objective of this study was to examine the experiences reported by individuals with a relative with elevated hoarding symptoms using a cross-sectional design. The current investigation expands on the literature in this area by incorporating a detailed interview of experiences in conjunction with validated measures of hoarding symptomology.

Methods: Twenty-nine adults with relatives with elevated hoarding symptoms completed self-report measures of hoarding severity for themselves and their relative and a clinician-administered assessment of their experiences with their family member with hoarding symptoms.

Results: Participants endorsed significant burden across a range of areas, including permanent changes in their daily routine. The majority (93%) of participants reported at least one positive experience, with 69% endorsing companionship as a benefit of the relationship. Greater symptom severity of the relative with hoarding symptoms was associated with greater subjective burden and decreased positive experiences.

Conclusion: Our results add further evidence to the potential for interpersonal psychotherapy to lead to a reduction in hoarding symptomology.