The relationship between experiential avoidance and autism spectrum traits with hoarding behaviors with mediating role of saving cognitions

Abstract

Introduction: Hoarding disorder is a complex and not well-understood psychological state that affects millions of people worldwide. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examining the relationship between experimental avoidance and autism spectrum traits and hoarding behaviors with the mediating role of hoarding cognitions. Method: The present study was descriptive of correlational type and the statistical society of this study was all students of Birjand Azad University in the academic year of 2016-17. The sample consisted of 369 people who were selected by random cluster sampling and completed the Saving Inventory-Revised, hoarding cognitions questionnaire, experiential avoidance questionnaire and autism spectrum quotient. Results: The findings of the study showed that experiential avoidance has a positive and significant relationship with aspects of hoarding, while the autism spectrum traits have no relationship with the cognitive and behavioral aspects of hoarding. In addition, a finding on mediating role showed that in the proposed model, only the experiential avoidance has a mediator role. Conclusion: The findings of the study supported hoarding cognitive- behavioral models and suggested that experiential avoidance and hoarding cognitions play important roles in the growth and maintenance of the problems associated with hoarding.

Keywords

• hoarding behaviors
• hoarding cognitions
• experiential avoidance
• autism spectrum traits