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Assessing Squalor in Hoarding: The Home Environment Index

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Abstract

The current study examined a new measure of squalor associated with hoarding, the Home Environment Index (HEI). Participants (N = 793) were recruited from a large database of individuals who sought information about hoarding following national media appearances and consented to an internet study. Participants completed measures of hoarding and related psychopathology, including the HEI. The HEI showed good internal consistency and construct validity and reflected a single factor of home squalor (15 items). The HEI correlated positively with measures of hoarding and mood psychopathology. Recommendations for future modifications and further study are provided.

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Notes

  1. The original (26 item) and revised (15 item) HEI scales are available upon request from the corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Building, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Jessica L. Rasmussen & Timothy A. Brown

  2. School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Gail Steketee

  3. Department of Psychology, Smith College, Bass Hall 218, Northampton, MA, 01063, USA

    Randy O. Frost

  4. Institute of Living, 200 Retreat Avenue, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA

    David F. Tolin

Authors
  1. Jessica L. Rasmussen
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  2. Gail Steketee
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  3. Randy O. Frost
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  4. David F. Tolin
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  5. Timothy A. Brown
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica L. Rasmussen.

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Rasmussen, J.L., Steketee, G., Frost, R.O. et al. Assessing Squalor in Hoarding: The Home Environment Index. Community Ment Health J 50, 591–596 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9665-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9665-8

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