Rogers, Caroline J and Hart, Rona (2021) Home and the extended-self: exploring associations between clutter and wellbeing. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 73. a101553 1-10. ISSN 0272-4944

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Abstract

Research on clutter in non-clinical populations is scarce. Existing research typically examines clutter's negative effect on quality of life. Assertions from self-help books and lifestyle media that living with less clutter has beneficial health and psychological outcomes have received limited scientific attention. This study aimed to address a significant gap in the literature by exploring the associations between home self-extension variables (subjective clutter, objective clutter, home self-expression and declutter habit) and wellbeing (measured through the PERMA model).

A general population sample of 1111 adults (mostly women) participated in this cross-sectional correlational study. Correlation and regression results revealed that home self-extension variables, particularly subjective clutter and psychological home, account for substantial variance of wellbeing. The subjective-objective nature of clutter is discussed and a refined definition of clutter embracing its subjective nature is proposed. We conclude that home self-extension, and clutter in particular, are significant predictors of wellbeing.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Clutter, Decluttering, Home, PERMA, Wellbeing
Schools and Departments:	School of Psychology > Psychology
SWORD Depositor:	Mx Elements Account
Depositing User:	Mx Elements Account
Date Deposited:	08 Feb 2021 08:36
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2021 09:30
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/96998

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