Social integration and shared living space: Psychiatric impairment among single men

This study examines the relationship between psychiatric impairment of single men in the new resource towns of north‐western Australia, and the type of dwelling occupied by these men. The data fail to provide any evidence that dwelling type directly or indirectly influences psychiatric impairment in this context. The analysis suggests that impairment may be positively influenced by stresses generated by sharing dwelling space. However, it also suggests that the sharing of internal dwelling space is a more important influence on such stress than the extent of social interaction that different dwelling types impose as a result of shared external dwelling space. A statistically significant relationship did emerge between perceived adequacy of social integration and stresses generated by sharing dwelling space. This suggests that the philosophy of providing accommodation for singles that facilitates contact with others, needs to be carefully considered in certain contexts. Where there are a variety of alternative forms of social contact, it may be that those who have most difficulty establishing an adequate social network will also have most difficulty with coping with sharing dwelling space.