The Relationship Between of Anthropomorphism and Attachment to Objects with Hoarding Behaviors: Mediating Role of Saving Cognitions

The present study was conducted to investigate the role of anthropomorphism and attachment to objects in predicting hoarding behaviors. The research method was descriptive correlational. The statistical population included all high school students in the city of Birjand in the academic year of of 2016-17. 288 students were selected by multi-stage random sampling method. Data were collected by revised Saving Behavior Inventory, Saving Cognitions questionnaire, Bilateral Attachment Questionnaire and anthropomorphism questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equations modeling. Findings showed that attachment to objects has a positive and significant relationship with aspects of hoarding, while anthropomorphism has no relation with the cognitive and behavioral aspects of hoarding. Findings related to the role of mediator showed that in the proposed model, only the attachment variable to the objects in this relationship has a mediating role. These findings support the cognitive-behavioral models and suggest that cognitions related to belongings play an important role in the development and maintenance problems related to hoarding.