From Single-Family to Multigenerational Living: Hierarchical Regression Insights into Household Type and Well-Being among Emiratis in Abu Dhabi

Abstract

Household living arrangements form a cornerstone of Emirati social life, shaping family dynamics, privacy, and individual well-being. This study investigates how living in single-family versus multigenerational households influences life satisfaction among Emiratis in Abu Dhabi. Drawing on data from the 5th Cycle of the Abu Dhabi Quality of Life Survey (n = 29,657), a four-block hierarchical regression model was employed, with life satisfaction (0–10 scale) as the dependent variable. Results reveal striking differences between household types. Emiratis in single-family households consistently reported higher life satisfaction (Mean = 7.08) than those in multigenerational families (Mean = 6.82). The hierarchical model demonstrated strong explanatory power (Adjusted R² = 0.722; p < 0.001), with the influence of household type remaining statistically significant across all blocks, even after controlling for demographic, financial, and psychosocial variables. In the final model, happiness (β = 0.395), family satisfaction (β = 0.104), and mental health (β = –0.119) emerged as the most influential predictors of life satisfaction. Financial factors, particularly income satisfaction (β = 0.095) and ability to meet necessary expenses (β = 0.055), further distinguished the two household types—suggesting that economic comfort, emotional balance, and autonomy are more strongly experienced by those living in single-family homes. The findings reveal that multigenerational living, while fostering familial proximity and support, may also introduce crowding, reduced privacy, and intergenerational tension, modestly lowering well-being in middle adulthood. Conversely, single-family households appear to provide greater personal space, financial control, and emotional equilibrium. The results carry clear policy implications for housing, family development, and community design, encouraging strategies that promote both family cohesion and individual autonomy within the Emirati social context.