Hoarding Behaviors in Children

The act of hoarding has become a relevant and popular topic for clinicians as well as the general public. Researchers continue to study the development of hoarding and best practices for treatment. In the attempt to gain an understanding of hoarding behaviors, researchers have focused on adults who demonstrate the behavior; however, children have been observed and reported to engage in hoarding behaviors. This clinical research paper presents the findings from a qualitative research study examining clinical social workers' perspectives on hoarding behaviors in children. Two case studies are presented and analyzed based on the current understanding of hoarding behaviors. This study illustrated important differences between adults and children who engage in hoarding behaviors, including the presenting symptoms and treatment models. This paper provides clinicians with a framework for understanding hoarding behaviors in children and for establishing an effective course of treatment.