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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Helen CloseORCiD, Dr Hayley AldersonORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.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.
Author(s): Close H, Vincent S, Alderson H, Wilson-Harrop C, Allen S, Waters GM, Hanson S, Pepper GV, Neave N
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Cogent Psychology
Year: 2024
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Online publication date: 01/11/2024
Acceptance date: 04/10/2024
Date deposited: 25/11/2024
ISSN (electronic): 2331-1908
Publisher: Cogent OA
URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2024.2416757
DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2024.2416757
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