What do we know about hoarding behaviours among care-experienced children (CEC)? A systematic review

Close, Helen, Vincent, Sharon, Alderson, Hayley, Wilson-Harrop, Carrie, Allen, Sarah, Waters, Gillian M., Hanson, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4751-8248, Pepper, Gillian V. and Neave, Nick (2024) What do we know about hoarding behaviours among care-experienced children (CEC)? A systematic review. Cogent Psychology, 11 (1). ISSN 2331-1908

[thumbnail of Close_etal_2024_CogentPsychology]
Preview
PDF (Close_etal_2024_CogentPsychology) - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Objectives and methods: Anecdotal evidence suggests a high prevalence of hoarding behaviours among care-experienced children (those in foster, residential, adoptive, or kinship care). This systematic review, aimed to examine the prevalence of hoarding among care-experienced children, their lived experience, and the effectiveness of any hoarding interventions for this population. Primary research articles were included on hoarding behaviours in care-experienced children, published in English in indexed journals from ever to September 2024. Results: Three eligible uncontrolled, observational studies, including 374 children and 23 carers, were identified. While hoarding was not clearly defined, there were high levels of hoarding behaviours specific to storing food (26%), associated with confirmed maltreatment in care (Odds Ratio = 17.4). Empirical lived experience perspectives were few and polarised between views that food hoarding was punishment towards caregivers or a trauma-survival mechanism. We identified no interventions involving assessment or management of hoarding behaviours in this population. Conclusions: There is a paucity of evidence about hoarding behaviours among care-experienced children and a small amount of poor-quality evidence suggesting a high prevalence of food-related hoarding. In contrast, stakeholder consultation suggests hoarding may be common, long-lasting, and involve not just food but many other objects. Further research is required to understand the extent and type of hoarding behaviours, and effective interventions. Care-experienced children experience health, educational, and well-being outcomes across the life course, which are much poorer than their non-care peers, and this research offers a new avenue of enquiry to understand and improve their experiences and lives.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: care-experience,hoarding,children in care,adoption,fostering,health and society,public health policy and practice,allied health,psychology(all) ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion
Related URLs:
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 14 Oct 2024 11:30
Last Modified: 18 Nov 2024 09:29
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/97011
DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2024.2416757

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item