The role of the physical environment in adolescent mental health

Mueller, Marie A. E.; Flouri, Eirini; Kokosi, Theodora

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102153

Cited by 39 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Our findings further corroborate previous studies that have documented discordant results between subjective and objective neighborhood measures and health outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of personal observations of daily environments and supports the rational for including both subjective and objective measures in study designs [50, 51, 71].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Neighborhood crime, disorder and substance use in the Caribbean context: Jamaica National Drug Use Prevalence Survey 2016

et al. 2019

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The purpose of the study was to examine the role of objective and subjective measures of neighborhood crime and disorder on substance use among a nationally representative sample of 4525 Jamaicans aged 12–65 years. Log-Poisson models with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A test of interaction was used to determine presence of effect modification by sex. Approximately 39% of the study population reported past-month alcohol use; 10% past-month tobacco use; and 15% past-month marijuana use. In fully adjusted models, past-month alcohol and tobacco use were associated with perceived neighborhood disorder (p<0.05). The likelihood of alcohol use was 1.12 (95%CI:1.04, 1.20) times greater among participants who perceived higher neighborhood disorder. The likelihood of tobacco use was 1.22 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.46) times greater among participants who perceived higher neighborhood disorder. A significant test for interaction in adjusted models (P<0.2) suggested that the associations between substance use and perceived neighborhood disorder varied by sex. Examination of stratified models indicated that the role of perceived neighborhood disorder on alcohol and tobacco consumption varied among females, but not males. Females who perceived higher levels of neighborhood disorder had an increased likelihood of past-month alcohol and tobacco use (RRa:1.25 95%CI:1,07, 1.45; RRa:1.73 95%CI: 1.10, 2.67). Objective neighborhood crime measures were not associated with alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana use. The study findings provide evidence for the importance of considering subjective and objective neighborhood measures when examining relations with health outcome and demonstrate that perceptions of context and contextual exposures are not uniform across populations within neighborhoods. Interventions focused on building community trust and social cohesion (e.g. neighborhood community watch groups) and greening of blighted or abandoned spaces may help increase the sense of safety and order, reducing stress and maladaptive coping such as substance use.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Neighborhood crime, disorder and substance use in the Caribbean context: Jamaica National Drug Use Prevalence Survey 2016

et al. 2019

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“…The remaining studies predominantly showed beneficial relationships between green space and depression, emotional well-being and mental health and behaviour. One study showed a beneficial association between green space and depression reduction [ 51 ], one between green space and emotional well-being [ 29 ], one with mental health and behaviour (using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire; SDQ) [ 52 ]; however, three showed a non-significant relationship [ 53 , 54 , 55 ]. A further study reported a positive association between green space and reduced risk of serious psychological distress [ 56 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Five cross-sectional studies examined associations between neighbourhood greenness and adolescents’ mental well-being. Two of the five studies quantified greenness as the percentage of green space for each postal code area or UK ward in the adolescents’ residential area [ 33 , 55 ], and three used a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from satellite images in buffers of 250–1250 m, 250–950 m or 500 m around the residential addresses of participants [ 49 , 51 , 56 ]. One study measured the percentage of green space within each 5 km radius circular buffer in school settings [ 54 ], and another used neighbourhood park access by measuring the area of park land divided by total land within 0.80 km distance (along street networks) of a participant’s home [ 50 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They found that neighbourhood greenness was not related to RSA rest, reactivity and recovery, and was not a predictor for RSA recovery. Using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire, Mueller et al [ 55 ] found that there was no significant relationship between the percentage of green space in wards (a division or district of a city or town) and well-being in 3683 adolescents after controlling for cofounders.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Authors also reported a negative association between variability in greenness in 1600 m buffer and adolescents’ well-being. In contrast, no significant relationships were reported in two studies that used the percentage of green space in neighbourhoods using administrative area boundaries (postal code and ward) [ 33 , 55 ]. The different results might be due to the choice of neighbourhood definition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Association between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review

Zhang

Mavoa

Zhao

et al. 2020

IJERPH

135

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This systematic review summarised and evaluated the evidence for associations between green space and adolescents’ mental well-being. The PRISMA statement guidelines were followed for reporting systematic reviews. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Synthesis suggests beneficial associations between green space exposure and reduced stress, positive mood, less depressive symptoms, better emotional well-being, improved mental health and behaviour, and decreased psychological distress in adolescents. Several studies found the relationship varied by demographic and socio-economic factors. The limited number of studies and the risk of bias were the main limitations, together with heterogeneity regarding green space and mental well-being assessments. Overall, this review highlights the potential contribution of green space in schoolyards. Improving the availability, accessibility and quality of green space is likely to generate positive impacts on adolescents’ mental well-being. More consistent evidence on the use of different types of green space and perceptions of features are needed in the future.

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The outdoor physical environment, inflammation and adult psychological distress in a UK general population sample

Midouhas,

Kokosi,

Mueller

et al. 2023

People and Nature

Self Cite

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Inflammation is one of the suggested pathways linking exposure to neighbourhood air pollution and greenspace to psychological distress. Yet, inflammation has not been tested formally as a mediating factor in an adult human sample. Using data from 6813 adults participating in Understanding Society, the present study examines longitudinally the joint role of the two neighbourhood‐level exposures in psychological distress and the mediating role of inflammation. Annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and availability of greenspace in participants' neighbourhoods across England and Wales were examined. Psychological distress was measured with the General Health Questionnaire. Inflammation was assessed with C‐reactive protein and fibrinogen. A structural equation model path analysis showed that, in fully adjusted models, an increase in the amount of greenspace in one's neighbourhood was related to lower psychological distress 4 years later, but inflammation did not mediate this relationship. Neighbourhood‐level air pollution, specifically nitrogen dioxide, was not associated with psychological distress. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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The role of the physical environment in adolescent mental health

Cited by 39 publications

References 51 publications

Neighborhood crime, disorder and substance use in the Caribbean context: Jamaica National Drug Use Prevalence Survey 2016

Neighborhood crime, disorder and substance use in the Caribbean context: Jamaica National Drug Use Prevalence Survey 2016

The Association between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review

The outdoor physical environment, inflammation and adult psychological distress in a UK general population sample

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