Final answer:
Most elderly hoarders grew up during the Great Depression, a time characterized by extreme poverty and resource scarcity, which had a profound effect on their behaviors and attitudes towards conserving resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most elderly hoarders grew up during a time of significant economic struggle and instability. Specifically, A) in the Great Depression is the correct answer to the question. This period was marked by widespread poverty, joblessness, and desperation. As a result, behaviors like hoarding can stem from the experiences during this era when resources were scarce and the future uncertain. People who lived through the Great Depression often developed habits of saving and storing items, as they had learned to cope with extreme shortages and the fear of not having enough.
The harsh circumstances of life during the Great Depression left a lasting impression on those who survived it. Many people changed their habits in response to the economic challenges they faced, adopting a frugal lifestyle that often lasted long after the Depression ended. The lessons learned during this time, such as the importance of self-reliance and conservation of resources, were carried into later life and could manifest in behaviors like hoarding.
Therefore, it is not surprising that patterns of hoarding can be particularly prevalent among the generation that grew up during the Great Depression. They endured an era that necessitated careful management of every resource, a survival strategy that could lead them to hold onto possessions long after such measures were necessary.