Open Collections

Kysow, Kate

University of British Columbia

Hoarded homes can pose a public safety threat. To mitigate health and safety risks, many communities across North America turn to clean-outs as an intervention. Despite the apparent utility of clean-outs to clear away problematic clutter, anecdotal stories in the academic literature tend to depict clean-outs as a costly, ineffective, and traumatizing intervention. However, no formal studies have been conducted specifically on clean-out interventions, and no formalized guidelines or practice recommendations exist for how and when to conduct such interventions. Using a scoping review that synthesized the academic and grey literature on clean-outs and an interview-based survey of frontline professionals, this dissertation examined the factors precipitating clean-outs, characterized the range of clean-out practices (including client-centered practices), and provided an overview of possible intervention outcomes. This dissertation followed a public scholarship approach, which involved collaborations with frontline workers, in order to provide a knowledge base from which to promote evidence-based practice. Findings from the two studies were largely consistent. For most clients, the decision to have a clean-out was not voluntary. Rather, clean-outs were conducted due to a complex set of risks (e.g., unsafe conditions, eviction threat, poor sanitation) and often were used as a last-resort intervention. Clean-outs were fast-paced and required a multidisciplinary team for different aspects of the process, including logistics and planning, case management, emotional support, enforcement, clutter removal, and cleaning. Clean-outs were distressing for most clients. Many providers responded to client distress with client-centered approaches: providing emotional support, involving the client in sorting and discarding decisions, and listening to their concerns and fears. Providers were largely in agreement that clean-outs helped to resolve health and safety issues in the home in the short-term. Clean-outs were moderately successful at preventing evictions and ensuring a safe discharge home from hospital, however, they did not address the psychological problems that led to the high clutter volume. Based on the results of both studies, a research report and best practice toolkit were created for dissemination among community providers. In line with the public scholar approach, these materials will offer practical guidance to community organizations and frontline professionals who conduct clean-out interventions.

Text

2024-06-17

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/88477

Psychology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/