A factor often overlooked in research on the home environment is that a child may not live with a
parent at all or may live away from them during the school week. Stress theory holds that changes
in family organisation or circumstances might cause stress in children’s lives (Elder, 1974).
Family events may directly increase children’s stress because of changes in household
composition or changes in residential location. In response to these changes, children would be
alienated from or might disengage from the home environment and receive less parental nurturing
and socialisation.