Children residing in confined apartments within Hong Kong exhibit lower mental health scores, according to survey findings.
A comprehensive study conducted by Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) has revealed a concerning correlation between the lack of study and play areas at home and the mental health and academic results of children in Hong Kong.
The joint study, which ran from June 2023 to August 2024, involved over 1,000 Primary 4 to 6 students across various housing types, including subdivided flats, public rental homes, transitional housing, private flats, and subsidised housing. The poll, published on Monday, found that children living in subdivided flats reported a higher rate of insufficient study and play areas at home compared to those in other types of housing.
The study, led by Terence Shum Chun-tat, acting head of the department of social sciences at HKMU, aims to investigate the impacts of the environment in subdivided flats on children's mental health, academic results, and cognitive development. The research methodology included surveys, cognitive-behavioral experiments, and in-depth interviews.
The findings suggest that the cramped, noisy, and overcrowded living conditions in subdivided flats significantly impact children's mental health, with nearly 40% of children reporting significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. These conditions also seem to hinder children's ability to concentrate and engage in healthy play, both of which are crucial for cognitive development and academic success. As a result, children living in subdivided flats tend to perform worse academically, affected by the mental health difficulties exacerbated by their living conditions.
To address these issues, experts recommend expanding learning and play spaces both in the community and at schools to support children living in such challenging housing conditions. This could potentially help mitigate the negative effects on their mental health and academic performance.
In conclusion, the lack of appropriate study and play spaces in subdivided flats contributes to poorer mental health outcomes and lower academic achievement among children in Hong Kong, necessitating targeted policy and community interventions to improve these environments.
[1] For more information, please refer to the study led by Terence Shum Chun-tat, acting head of the department of social sciences at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, and the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO).
- The research conducted by Terence Shum Chun-tat and the Society for Community Organisation highlights a significant connection between children's mental health, academic performance, and the absence of study and play areas in subdivided flats.
- The findings of the joint study suggest that inadequate environments in subdivided flats may lead to higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and hinder cognitive development in children, which can negatively impact academic success.
- To improve mental health outcomes and academic achievement among children in challenging housing conditions, experts propose expanding learning and play spaces at both community and school levels, aiming to mitigate the negative impacts on their health and academic performance.
