Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Timpano, Kiara R.
Author's Email Address	kiaratimpano@gmail.com
URN	etd-07082009-182246
Title	The association between self-regulation and hoarding symptoms: An experimental investigation
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Psychology, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Norman B. Schmidt Committee Chair Jon K. Maner Committee Member Randy O. Frost Committee Member Thomas E. Joiner Committee Member Adam Jolles Outside Committee Member
Keywords	Hoarding Vulnerability Self-Control Practice Condition Behavioral Index of Hoarding Self-Regulation Hoarding
Date of Defense	2009-05-22
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The capacity to exert control over one’s behavior is known as self-control and this ability to self-regulate is a necessary component for directing personal behavior toward achieving a specific goal. Self-regulation operates within a resource model, and inherent in this framework is the ability for an individual to practice self-control and to strengthen this resource. The phenomenon of self-control has a number of implications, which include the association between a lack of self-control and various forms of psychopathology. Compulsive hoarding is one phenomenon wherein self-control may play a substantial role. Within a translational research framework, this investigation sought to extend the study of self-control to (1) a sub-clinical hoarding population, and (2) to determine if practicing self-control in a non-OCD/hoarding related domain might have an impact on an individual’s ability to resist saving behaviors. Study 1 utilized a multi-method approach and revealed that lower levels of self-control were robustly linked to greater hoarding symptoms. We furthermore found that depleting levels of self-control lead to a direct, subsequent increase in saving behaviors on a behavioral index of hoarding. Study 2 examined the effects of self-control practice on hoarding symptoms. We found that participants in the practice condition saved less items than those in the non-practice condition at Time 2. The implications of self-regulation for hoarding will be discussed from a vulnerability standpoint, as well as a treatment perspective.
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