Research on personal digital hoarding behaviors of college students based on personality traits theory: the mediating role of emotional attachment

Purpose This study investigates the influence of personality traits on the personal digital hoarding behaviors of college students. Emotional attachment is included as a mediating variable, thereby enhancing the relevant theoretical frameworks associated with such behaviors. Design/methodology/approach A total of 370 college students were investigated using the Big Five personality scale, the digital hoarding behaviors scale, and a self-compiled emotional attachment scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS26.0 software. Findings Personality traits exerted a significant influence on individual digital hoarding behaviors, among which neuroticism ( r = 0.526**), extroversion ( r = 0.232**), and agreeableness ( r = 0.233**) demonstrated notable effects. However, no significant correlation was found to link conscientiousness and openness with personal digital hoarding behaviors. Emotional attachment ( r = 0.665**) significantly impacted personal digital hoarding behaviors. Regression analysis further showed that personality traits also affect personal digital hoarding behaviors through the partial mediating effect of emotional attachment. Dependency security was identified as a partial mediator of the effects of agreeableness and neuroticism on personal digital hoarding behaviors. Possession attachment was observed to be another partial mediator of the relationship between neuroticism and personal digital hoarding behaviors. Furthermore, fear of missing out was observed to partially mediate the effects of agreeableness and neuroticism on personal digital hoarding behaviors. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of the self-compiled emotional attachment scale requires further verification in future research, as the selection of participants was relatively simplistic. Practical implications Our study showed the distinctive personality traits of individuals and their relationship with personal digital hoarding behaviors, along with the mediating role of emotional attachment. Our findings provide valuable insights for future personal information management and digital hoarding de-cluttering. Originality/value This research explores the influence of personality traits on the personal digital hoarding behaviors of college students and examines the mediating role of emotional attachment.