Home and the extended-self: Exploring associations between clutter and wellbeing

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101553
• Publication Date: 2021-01-21T23:06:54Z
• Authors: Caroline J. Rogers; Dr Rona Hart
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; 3. Good health

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.