Lonely Confined Spaces: A Social Stratification Study of Dwelling Duration in University Library Toilet Stalls

Abstract

Background: Toilet stalls serve multiple functions

for students: avoiding acquaintances, scrolling

phones, and escaping academic pressure. Existing

research rarely examines dwelling durations among

status groups.

Methods: 30‑day fieldwork in six male stalls of a

“Double First‑Class” university library (n=327).

Findings: (1) Doctoral students' average dwelling

(8.7 min) > master's (4.2) > undergrad (2.3); (2)

Backpack +3.5 min; (3) Video audio correlates with

duration (r=0.67, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Toilet stalls are micro‑fields for status

performance and pressure relief. Future research

should examine squatting posture vs. publication

counts.