Association between household crowding at birth and mental health outcomes in school-aged children: retrospective analysis of data from the Born in Bradford cohort, UK
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Previous research suggests household crowding is associated with poorer child mental health, but findings are inconsistent. Longitudinal data is required, especially from deprived settings where crowding is most prevalent and in ethnically diverse UK settings where living in larger family units is more commonplace. It is uncertain whether features of nearby green space may modify associations between crowding and child mental health. Methods: We analysed data from 3543 children in the Born in Bradford study, a longitudinal cohort representing residents of the ethnically diverse and relatively deprived city of Bradford, UK. We used ordinal logistic regression to investigate the association between exposure to household crowding (self-reported people per bedroom) at birth and child mental health score (normal, borderline, raised) 7-14 years later according to parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), adjusting for gender, ethnicity and socio-economic position. We explored effect modification by ethnicity and green space measures. Results: Greater levels of household crowding at birth were not associated with being in a higher SDQ category 7-14 years later; in crude and adjusted analyses, the fully adjusted OR was 0.89, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.05. No effect modification by the main ethnic groups or parental satisfaction with surrounding green space at the time of outcome measurement was observed. Conclusion: The relationship between household crowding and child mental health is complex. In this study of an ethnically diverse population, where crowding was relatively prevalent, no relationship was found. Household composition, age, housing condition and family and community support likely play important roles.
Source: BMJ Public Health
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funders: Wellcome Trust, UK Research and Innovation, Cancer Research UK, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health Agency, Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate, Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Health and Social Care Research and Development Division, UK Prevention Research Partnership
Awards: G1757548115, G1779174361, G2284855702, G2493824435, G2745558375, G2773788548, G2947762186, G3106167994, G3184720574, G3213922188, G3365809320, G3701846742, G3766617297, G4062506641, G4456960541, G4887206547, ActEarly: a City Collaboratory approach to early promotion of good health and wellbeing, G5051997168, G5122288552, G6468905072, DAta Sharing for Housing and Health (DASHH), G6799506791, G6912852451, G7115303499, Healthy Urban Places: a systems approach to understanding how to harness local places as tools to improve population health and reduce inequalities, G7467503047, G8443660152, G8579789783, G8782893465
OpenAlex ID: W7224198972