Psychological Factors of Digital Hoarding Behavior among Post-Graduate Research Students

Abstract

Digital hoarding is a rather subtle and emerging phenomenon. Similar to the hoarding problem, this phenomenon will attract the most attention in the future because of its emerging necessity. Research students are more likely than the general population to engage in digital hoarding. This study explores digital hoarding behaviors, associated factors, rationales, and implications for post-graduate research students. This study used a case study research approach. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample based on the characteristics of the individuals. The analysis of the data revealed that the main drivers behind students' tendency to amass greater numbers of digital data that they may one day need for personal usage, education, or further study. Additionally, contributing elements to the behavior of digital hoarding were found. They include emotional attachment to digital content, procrastination, sadness, worry about losing digital files, repeated thoughts about digital files, traumatic past experiences of losing their priceless digital data, loss of attention due to saving a greater number of digital files, recalling issues, indecision, and impulsiveness.