The things that make us: self and object attachment in hoarding and compulsive buying-shopping disorder

Excessive or maladaptive object attachment is the defining feature of Hoarding Disorder (HD) and the acquisition process within Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder (CBSD). In recent years, the relationship of object attachment within HD and CBSD to individual's self-concept has become the focus of direct research. On the basis of this literature, it seems that an underdeveloped, ambivalent, or discrepant self-concept could be a vulnerability for dysfunctional object attachment behavior. Further, the importance of objects in buttressing and extending self-concept, both individually and in relationship to others, appears to be a central function underlying pathological object attachment. An important future direction of research is whether directly addressing self-concept can serve as the next advancement for psychological treatments for these debilitating disorders.

Automated summary

Recent research has highlighted the relationship between object attachment in Hoarding Disorder and Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder to individual's self-concept. An underdeveloped or discrepant self-concept may lead to dysfunctional object attachment behaviors. Addressing self-concept could be a potential advancement in psychological treatments for these disorders.