Emotional well-being

Question
Vraag

Does the size of your living space affect your emotional well-being?

Answered by NiceDay Psychologist Faye van Spijk
Answer
Antwoord

Hi! Thank you for your question.

This is an interesting topic. Your question is if the size of your living space affects your emotional well-being. It is difficult to give you one clear answer. A small living space will not affect all people to the same degree. I think it really differs and has to do with a lot of different variables. A larger living space, which allows a family to eat together is arguably preferable to a small one that does not. Having less space and living with multiple people, often means sharing spaces such as a bathroom and bedroom. 

I can imagine that in this case the size of the living space could affect your emotional well-being. Having more space often means having more space for activities. It means that you could bring your friends over, for example. I can imagine that being able to bring friends over, affects your well-being in a good way. 

Also, having more space often means more wealth which is good for someone’s social status. Some people value having a certain social status, but some people might value it less. That is why I also think it differs between men and women, because I think, in general, more men than women value status. So if living space has an effect on your emotional well-being is also gender-related. On the other hand, social status is less important to some collectivistic countries. So, I can imagine that people living in countries as such, might be less affected by a smaller living space. 

In conclusion, it has to do with many variables and that’s why I think in some cases it could affect someone’s well-being and in some cases it doesn't. 

Kind regards,

Britt

 

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