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A theoretical perspective to inform assessment and treatment strategies for animal hoarders

Patronek, Gary J., Nathanson, Jane N.·2009·Clinical Psychology Review
DOI 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.01.006
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Abstract

Animal hoarding is a poorly understood, maladaptive, destructive behavior whose etiology and pathology are only beginning to emerge. We compare and contrast animal hoarding to the compulsive hoarding of objects and proceed to draw upon attachment theory, the literature of personality disorder and trauma, and our own clinical experience to propose a developmental trajectory. Throughout life, there is a persistent struggle to form a functional attachment style and achieve positive social integration. For some people, particularly those affected by a dysfunctional primary attachment experience in childhood, a protective, comforting relationship with animals may form an indelible imprint. In adulthood, when human attachment has been chronically problematic, compulsive caregiving of animals can become the primary means of maintaining or building a sense of self. Improving assessment and treatment of animal hoarders requires attention to contributing psychosocial conditions, while taking into account the centrality of the animals to the hoarder's identity, self-esteem and sense of control. It is our hope that the information presented will provide a basis upon which clinicians can focus their own counseling style, assessment, and methods of treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.01.006

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11 of 11 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • For animal hoarders, animals have an instrumental role functional to the preservation of their sense of identity and self-esteem, associated with the role of caregiver and reinforced by the perception of having positive relationships with sentient and totally dependent beings.

    “For animal hoarders, animals also have an instrumental role, which is functional to the preservation of their sense of identity and self-esteem, associated with the role of caregiver and is constantly reinforced by the perception of having positive relationships with living beings that are sentient and totally dependent [294,295].”

    From The Complexity of the Human–Animal Bond: Empathy, Attachment and Anthropomorphism in Human–Animal Relationships and Animal Hoarding (2022) · cites this paper as [294]

  • Animal hoarders' self-esteem derives partly from a sense of self-efficacy through control over animals (especially in the exploiter) and partly from seeing their ability as caregivers recognized through the affection received from animals.

    “Self-esteem would derive partly from the sense of self-efficacy—through the control over the animals (especially in the exploiter) and in part by seeing recognized their ability as caregivers through the affection received by the animals, [294,300].”

    From The Complexity of the Human–Animal Bond: Empathy, Attachment and Anthropomorphism in Human–Animal Relationships and Animal Hoarding (2022) · cites this paper as [294]

  • Animal hoarders derive comfort and well-being from animals' ability to provide emotional support and unconditional love and may view them as an extension of their self-concept.

    “deriving comfort and well-being from their ability to provide emotional support and unconditional love and may view them as an extension of their self-concept [294].”

    From The Complexity of the Human–Animal Bond: Empathy, Attachment and Anthropomorphism in Human–Animal Relationships and Animal Hoarding (2022) · cites this paper as [294]

  • Controlling behavior often characterizes the caregiving style of animal hoarders, including refusal to adopt, rejection of help and expert opinions regarding proper animal care, and sometimes the saving of dead bodies.

    “This kind of controlling behavior often characterizes the caregiving style of animal hoarders, together with other forms of control typical of animal hoarders including refusal to adopt, rejection of help and expert opinions regarding proper animal care and sometimes the saving of dead bodies [294].”

    From The Complexity of the Human–Animal Bond: Empathy, Attachment and Anthropomorphism in Human–Animal Relationships and Animal Hoarding (2022) · cites this paper as [294]

  • Due to developmental and life events, animal hoarders may develop in adulthood a compensatory over-reliance and overattachment to animals, with animals becoming a dysfunctional solution to cope with their need for relationships and intimacy without fear of rejection and abandonment.

    “Due to the occurrence of developmental and life events, animal hoarders may develop in adulthood a compensatory over-reliance and an overattachment to animals, with animals becoming a dysfunctional solution to cope with their need for relationships and intimacy without fear of rejection and abandonment [294].”

    From The Complexity of the Human–Animal Bond: Empathy, Attachment and Anthropomorphism in Human–Animal Relationships and Animal Hoarding (2022) · cites this paper as [294]

Citations

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Metadata

Authors
Patronek, G. J., & Nathanson, J. N.
Venue
Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-04
Volume
29
Issue
3
Pages
274-281
ISSN
0272-7358
DOI
10.1016/j.cpr.2009.01.006
Cited by
67
References
11
Language
en
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