Clutter and Control: A Regional Analysis of the Effect of Decluttering

The Covid pandemic impacted the whole nation, with 72% of Americans reported disruption in their everyday lives, and 45% of Americans reported negative health impacts in response to the pandemic (Kirzinger et al. 2020). However, there are some populations of citizens that are more vulnerable to the negative mental health effects of the pandemic (Czeisler et al. 2020). Fear and psychological reactance, triggered when individuals feel their freedoms are threatened, surged during the pandemic (Taylor and Asmundson, 2021; Wortman & Brehm, 1975). Yet, little research explores how decluttering projects affect this behavior. The current study explored the impact of successful decluttering projects as a measure of regaining control to reduce Covid fear for women living in regions experiencing high levels of reactance. To examine the impact of decluttering on fear and reactance, a dataset of 156 women, recruited by the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) was utilized. Five validated psychometric scales were used: Fear of Covid-19 Scale (Ahorsu et al., 2020), Hong Psychological Reactance Scale (Hong & Faedda, 1996), Personal Project Analysis (Little, B.R. 1983), Social Desirability (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960), and Action Control Scale (Diefendorff et al. 2000). Results were mixed in support for the current study. However, when including situational control, results highlighted a notable connection: increased control through decluttering related to reduced fear and reactance. This finding holds significance, especially for women navigating societal pressures around household responsibilities. The study highlights vital implications for community psychology. It emphasizes the need for gender-specific approaches in crisis response and intervention designs, urging attention to women's mental health during crises like the pandemic. Understanding control's impact, acknowledging cultural differences, and promoting decluttering initiatives are key takeaways. However, the study's limitations include a non-representative sample primarily composed of educated, white women. Additionally, the data collected early in the pandemic might not fully encapsulate evolving concerns or reactions. Future research should aim for more diverse samples and consider evolving societal responses to crises.