Household crowdedness in Hong Kong and its impact on parents’ and children’s wellbeing during COVID

During the COVID-19 pandemic, families worldwide are confined in their homes for an extended period of time due to social distancing. The current study examined the impact of household crowdedness during school closure on parents’ COVID-related stress and young children’s problem behaviors in a Hong Kong context, one of the world’s most densely populated cities. Parents of 228 young children between 3- to 5-year-old reported their household living condition, parents’ COVID-related stress, and children’s problem behaviors through an online survey. Household crowdedness predicted parents’ COVID-related stress, which in turn affected children’s problem behaviors, controlling for family socioeconomic status. The study contributed to the growing research on the impact of the physical living environment as part of the ecological systems on family and child functioning. In time of crisis, young children rely on schools to support their development and wellbeing. The current findings caution the decision of school closure. Copyright © 2021 Conference for Research in Early Childhood Education.