title: A cognitive-behavioral model of compulsive hoarding.
abstract: Compulsive hoarding is a little studied phenomenon within the research literature. The information available on compulsive hoarding is diverse and not well integrated. In the present article we propose a tentative cognitive-behavioral model of compulsive hoarding. The purpose of such a model is to provide a framework for the development and testing of hypotheses about compulsive hoarding. In this model hoarding is conceptualized as a multifaceted problem stemming from: (1) information processing deficits; (2) problems in forming emotional attachments; (3) behavioral avoidance; and (4) erroneous beliefs about the nature of possessions. Specific hypotheses about each of these are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, USA.
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hartl
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders; D009769:Object Attachment