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Measuring Possessions as Extensions of Self and Links to Significant Others in Hoarding: the Possessions as Others and Self Inventory

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Abstract

This paper presents the development and validation of the Possessions as Others and Self Inventory (POSI). The POSI is a 23-item self-report measure that assesses the extent to which possessions are perceived to be extensions of self and significant others in hoarding disorder. In Study 1 (N = 246 community participants, M age = 33.70), exploratory factor analysis suggested the retention of a six-factor solution consistent with the notion that links between possessions, self, and others have numerous dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis in Study 2 (N = 307 community participants, M age = 35.13) supported the consistency of the six-factor structure. Convergent validity was buttressed by strong correlations between POSI subscales and hoarding symptomology and beliefs. Following disposal of possessions, a perceived feeling of emptiness within the self appears to be particularly pertinent to hoarding behavior.

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Funding

This research is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia

    Christopher Kings, Richard Moulding & Rachael Gazzola

  2. School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia

    Keong Yap

  3. Cairnmillar Institute, Melbourne, Australia

    Tess Knight

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  1. Christopher Kings
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  2. Richard Moulding
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  4. Rachael Gazzola
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Correspondence to Christopher Kings.

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Christopher Kings, Richard Moulding, Keong Yap, Rachael Gazzola, and Tess Knight declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee (Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee; 2016–306) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

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Kings, C., Moulding, R., Yap, K. et al. Measuring Possessions as Extensions of Self and Links to Significant Others in Hoarding: the Possessions as Others and Self Inventory. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 43, 441–453 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-020-09858-9

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