Definition
Privacy is the ability to control access to oneself — physically, informationally, and psychologically. It is a documented need with health consequences when denied.
Why it matters
Privacy is undervalued in modern institutional and residential design.
The Science
Lack of privacy is associated with elevated stress, worse sleep, and reduced restorative capacity. Design that supports privacy improves outcomes in hospitals, offices, and homes.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats privacy as one of the primary needs of a regulating nervous system.
Clinical Implications
Assess privacy in clinical settings and living situations.
Practical Application
Somewhere to be unobserved matters. It is not indulgence.
References
- 1.Altman I. The Environment and Social Behavior: Privacy, Personal Space, Territory, Crowding. Brooks/Cole; 1975.