The relationship between household chaos and child, parent, and family outcomes: a systematic scoping review

Abstract

Background: Household chaos, represented by the level of disorganisation or environmental confusion in the home, has been associated with a range of adverse child and family outcomes. This review aims to (1) identify how household chaos is measured, (2) chart study details of household chaos literature, and (3) map the existing literature with respect to the relationship between household chaos and child, parent, and family outcomes. We expect that this review will highlight the need to consider the importance of household chaos in child well-being research, particularly in those families where children may be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of household chaos. Methods: We searched five electronic databases (last updated September 1st 2018) in addition to Google Scholar, and identified publications via a 3-stage screening process, which was conducted by two researchers. Published studies were included if they investigated the association between household chaos and child, parent, or family outcomes. Research that investigated household chaos as a mediator or moderator, or that investigated how the relationship between household chaos and the outcome of interest was mediated or moderated, were also included. Results: One hundred twelve studies in 111 publications were included. The majority were conducted in the United States (n = 71), and used either cross-sectional (n = 60) or longitudinal (n = 49) study designs. Outcomes of interest were categorised into seven categories: (1) cognitive and academic (n = 16), (2) socio-emotional and behavioural (n = 60), (3) communication (n = 6), (4) parenting, family, and household functioning (n = 21), (5) parent outcomes (n = 6), (6) hormone (n = 8), and (7) physical health and health behaviours (n = 19). There was consistent evidence for significant correlations between household chaos and adverse outcomes across all seven categories in diverse populations with respect to age, disease status, and socioeconomic status (SES). Conclusion: There is consistent evidence for associations between household chaos and a number of adverse child, parent, and family-level outcomes. Household chaos may also help describe variations in outcomes between low SES and child development.

Household chaos, family routines, and young child movement behaviors in the U.S. during the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study

“…An important component of preschooler behaviors, particularly sleep and screen-time, is the home environment [ 15 , 16 ]. Accordingly, a risk factor for poor cognitive development [ 17 ] and early childhood obesity [ 18 ] is daily disruptions within the home environment or “household chaos” [ 19 ]. Household chaos encompasses high levels of household unpredictability, noise, and crowding [ 20 ].…”

Results of the 3 Pillars Study (3PS), a relationship-based programme targeting parent-child interactions, healthy lifestyle behaviours, and the home environment in parents of preschool-aged children: A pilot randomised controlled trial

“…Note, household chaos refers to the level of disorganisation, noise, and environmental confusion in the home, and has been associated with a range of adverse child outcomes. It has been suggested that household chaos impacts children by increasing levels of stress and distraction, interfering with children’s attention allocation and information processing skills, and compromising positive parent-child interactions and parental responsiveness [ 53 ].…”

“…Household chaos, which represents the level of disorganisation, environmental confusion, and background noise and distractions in the home [ 53 ], was assessed using the 15-item Chaos, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS) [ 58 ], and engagement in routines of daily life using the Daily Living Routines subscale of the Child Routine Inventory (CRI) [ 59 ].…”

A Mixed Methods Analysis of Environmental and Household Chaos: Implications for Childhood Obesity Prevention Through Toddlerhood

“…While greater levels of chaos are more likely to occur among households with fewer socioeconomic resources [14], chaos is more than a marker for poverty. In studies adjusting for the in uence of socioeconomic status, chaos is consistently identi ed as an independent risk factor for less optimal outcomes of child health and development [14,16]. Young children (≤ 5 years) exposed to greater levels of chaos are more likely to experience poorer cognitive development [17], less school readiness [17], increased behavioral problems [18], and poorer overall health [19], when compared to children living in less chaotic environments.…”