Small-member households are increasing worldwide. However, most previous studies have focused on older people and living alone. Using the latest national survey data, we investigated a dose–response relationship between household size and serious psychological distress (SPD).
We analyzed data from the 2019 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan. The study participants were 405,560 community-dwelling adults aged 20 or older. Household size was classified into 5 or more, 3 or 4, two, and one (i.e., living alone). SPD was defined as ≥13 points based on the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale. We used multivariable logistic regressions and included age, education, equivalent household expenditures, housing tenure, employment contract, smoking, and illness under treatment as covariates.
After stratified analyses by age and gender, a dose–response relationship between smaller household size and more common SPD was significant for younger, but not for older people (
Smaller households were associated with higher prevalence of SPD in younger adults and in never-married individuals, regardless of gender. Our findings suggest a need to focus on younger people and never-married people to reduce the mental health risks due to small household sizes.