Social Determinants of Residential Crowding Stress

Abstract

The present investigation was concerned with the effects of group formation on crowding and related problems. It was predicted that the symptoms of interpersonal stress commonly associated with crowding are mediated by group formation. Residents completed a survey concerned with their experiences in their dormitories, as well as their adjustments to college life. The results of this study provided evidence of greater social tension, negative affect, control problems, and crowding in triple rooms than in double rooms. They also support the notion that these symptoms of interpersonal stress are mediated by group formation within tripled rooms. Isolates, left out by a coalition of the other two roommates, were more vulnerable to crowding and experienced more control related problems. In addition, women reported the greatest degree of crowding in all residential conditions. It is suggested that since women spend more time in their residential environment and share more involvement with their roommates, they are more susceptible to interpersonal stresses related to crowding.