Hoarding: How can salutogenesis have positive influence?
How can people with hoarding tendencies help themselves by applying the principles of Salutogenesis?
Hoarding behavior often feels like an overwhelming attachment to objects, difficulty letting go, and a persistent sense of threat in discarding possessions. Shame and self-blame frequently intensify these patterns, as individuals may feel compelled to justify past choices or “prove” their own value through what they keep. The conventional pathogenetic view defines hoarding as a disorder of excess and avoidance, focusing on what is dysfunctional or must be eliminated.
Salutogenesis offers an alternative: Hoarding is recognized as a dynamic position on the [health-ease]/[dis-ease] continuum. Recovery does not mean erasing the past or condemning oneself for earlier decisions. Instead, self-forgiveness becomes a pivotal resource – reducing shame and allowing new, healthier choices to emerge. With this foundation, the activation of additional assets such as a sense of coherence, generalized resistance resources, and meaningful action becomes possible.
- Recognizing hoarding tendencies as part of a continuum of coping responses instead of a fixed disorder. This makes it possible to explore underlying patterns and triggers without rigid labels.
Antonovsky, 1979, p. 38 - Actively practicing self-forgiveness. Letting go of shame about past buying, keeping, or discarding decisions reduces the internal pressure to justify possessions and opens space for new choices.
Antonovsky, 1979, p. 103–104 (GRRs include life philosophy, emotional resources) - Identifying and mobilizing Generalized Resistance Resources (GRRs), such as supportive relationships, structured routines, community engagement, or practical organization tools. These can buffer distress and foster new ways of managing possessions.
Antonovsky, 1979, p. 103–104 - Strengthening the Sense of Coherence (SOC), particularly comprehensibility and manageability. This helps individuals make sense of their behavior, understand when and why they accumulate objects, and approach change with confidence.
Antonovsky, 1979, p. 123, 130 - Practicing small, achievable actions, such as setting a 15‑minute decluttering session or categorizing one type of object. These actions build a sense of control without overwhelming the system.
Antonovsky, 1979, p. 130 - Reframing stressors as opportunities to mobilize resources, and recognizing that change can be gradual and self‑directed, supports agency instead of avoidance.
Antonovsky, 1979, p. 90, 123 - Pursuing meaning in everyday life. Finding significance in relationships, experiences, or goals rather than objects can shift priorities gently over time.
Antonovsky, 1979, p. 123 - Understanding that external support and self‑agency are complementary. Salutogenetic approaches encourage use of all helpful resources, including community support, organizational tools, or counselling, while maintaining personal resource activation.
Antonovsky, 1979, p. 9, 130
Self-forgiveness is not a denial of difficulty, but a foundation for relief and new beginnings. By accepting past actions without self-condemnation, shame loses its grip, and individuals gain freedom to move toward health – one step, one object, one choice at a time.