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Lomax T, Butler J, Cipriani A, Singh I. Effect of nature on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents: meta-review. Br J Psychiatry 2024:1-9. [PMID: 39101636 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2024.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urbanisation is taking place worldwide and rates of mental illness are rising. There has been increasing interest in 'nature' and how it may benefit mental health and well-being. AIMS To understand how the literature defines nature; what the characteristics of the nature intervention are; what mental health and well-being outcomes are being measured; and what the evidence shows, in regard to how nature affects the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. METHOD A meta-review was conducted, searching three databases for relevant primary and secondary studies, using key search terms including 'nature' and 'mental health' and 'mental well-being'. Inclusion criteria included published English-language studies on the child and adolescent population. Authors identified the highest quality evidence from studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and analysed using descriptive content analysis. RESULTS Sixteen systematic reviews, two scoping reviews and five good quality cohort studies were included. 'Nature' was conceptualised along a continuum (the 'nature research framework') into three categories: a human-designed environment with natural elements; a human-designed natural environment; and a natural environment. The nature 'intervention' falls into three areas (the 'nature intervention framework'): access, exposure and engagement with nature, with quantity and quality of nature relevant to all areas. Mental health and well-being outcomes fit along a continuum, with 'disorder' at one end and 'well-being' at the other. Nature appears to have a beneficial effect, but we cannot be certain of this. CONCLUSIONS Nature appears to have a beneficial effect on mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. Evidence is lacking on clinical populations, ethnically diverse populations and populations in low- and middle-income countries. Our results should be interpreted considering the limitations of the included studies and confidence in findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Lomax
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Joseph Butler
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK; and Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Ilina Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Zhang R, Chen H, Liu L, Wang F, Yang Z. Unraveling the longitudinal relationships between connectedness to nature, depressive symptoms, and learning burnout in adolescents. J Adolesc 2024; 96:1212-1223. [PMID: 38622930 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Following the conservation of resource theory and natural stress reduction theory, the current study investigated mediated pathways, reverse mediated pathways, and reciprocal pathways between connectedness to nature, depressive symptoms, and adolescent learning burnout via a half-longitudinal analysis, and discussed gender differences in the three models. METHODS Two waves of data were collected in December 2022 (T1) and June 2023 (T2) for this study. The sample consisted of 1092 Chinese adolescents (52.20% girls, Mage = 13.03, SD = 1.43). Semi-longitudinal analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between connectedness to nature, depressive symptoms, and adolescent academic burnout. RESULTS The results indicated that connectedness to nature can serve as a positive resource to alleviate the levels of depressive symptoms among adolescents and thereby decrease learning burnout. However, the protective effect of connectedness to nature was smaller, and the decreasing effect of learning burnout on connectedness to nature was stronger than the alleviating effect of connectedness to nature on learning burnout. Additionally, the study found that depressive symptoms and academic burnout have a mutually reinforcing effect over time and that the effects of this interaction are more pronounced in females. CONCLUSIONS The present study emphasizes the protective role of nature connectedness and the detrimental effects of learning burnout in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rentao Zhang
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Chen
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Liu
- Hong'an Middle School, Chongqing, China
| | | | - Zhihui Yang
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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Liem DG, Woo YC. Encouraging online consumers into making better food choices: The power of nature exposure on healthy food choices. Appetite 2024; 199:107382. [PMID: 38723667 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND online environments can influence food desire and choices. We tested if online calming nature and stressful street environments can affect desire for healthy and unhealthy foods. METHOD we asked 238 participants (40 ± 14 yrs) to rate their desire (100 mm VAS) for 7 low calorie nutrient rich foods (Healthy) and 7 high calorie nutrient poor foods (Unhealthy), and perceived stress (state anxiety in STAI), before and after imagining themselves in a control, nature park, or busy street condition. RESULTS participants who imagined themselves being in a nature park had a significant higher desire for Healthy foods, than participants in the busy street condition (p < 0.05). Participants in the busy street condition decreased their desire for Healthy foods after they imagined themselves in a busy street (p < 0.05)). However, perceived stress did not impact the association between condition and desire for low calorie foods nor high calorie foods. CONCLUSION this study suggests that online environments can have an impact on healthy food desires, which could be of importance for the increased number of food choices which are made in online environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djin Gie Liem
- Deakin University, CASS Food Research Centre, Australia.
| | - Yu Chu Woo
- Deakin University, CASS Food Research Centre, Australia.
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Bogaert L, Joye Y, Dejonckheere E, Goossens I, Mertens K, Raes F. Nature lifts when feeling low: Daily high and low awe nature clips decrease repetitive negative thinking and dampening and increase subjective happiness in adults. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024. [PMID: 39087771 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to nature can enhance mental well-being, making nature-based interventions promising for the treatment and prevention of mental health problems like depression. Given the decreased self-focus and sense of self-diminishment associated with awe, the present study investigated the impact of exposure to awe-evoking nature on two key risk and maintenance factors of depression-repetitive negative thinking (RNT) and dampening of positive feelings-and on subjective happiness. In a randomized controlled trial, we tested the effects of exposure to awe-evoking nature clips through a 1-week intervention, consisting of watching a 1-min clip on a daily basis of either awe-evoking (n high awe = 108) or more mundane nature scenes (n low awe = 105). Before, immediately after (post-intervention) and 1 week after the intervention (follow-up), participants completed self-report scales probing RNT, dampening, and subjective happiness. Results indicated significant decreases in these outcomes at post-intervention and follow-up in both groups. We discuss study limitations, touch upon future research ideas, and reflect upon the role of nature for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Bogaert
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yannick Joye
- Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Egon Dejonckheere
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Ine Goossens
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Mertens
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Filip Raes
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Nagi S, Barriault S, Muhl C, Bennett S, Racine N. Green social prescribing to enhance child and adolescent mental health. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:2427-2429. [PMID: 37815629 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02307-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Snimer Nagi
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sophie Barriault
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Caitlin Muhl
- Health Quality Programs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Vanier Social Pediatric Hub, Vanier Community Services Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Susan Bennett
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Vanier Social Pediatric Hub, Vanier Community Services Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Racine
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Caryl F, McCrorie P, Olsen JR, Mitchell R. Use of natural environments is associated with reduced inequalities in child mental wellbeing: A cross-sectional analysis using global positioning system (GPS) data. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 190:108847. [PMID: 38936067 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to natural environments may benefit child mental wellbeing whilst offering a lever to reduce health inequalities. However, understanding of these relationships is limited by evidence from indirect measures of exposure. We objectively measured children's direct use of natural environments-and use in low or high physical activity (PA) states-and associated this with their mental wellbeing. We then examined moderation by sex and household income. Using global positioning system and accelerometry data from children (n = 640), we measured mean daily time in natural environments ('total use'), which we stratified by PA level as 'passive use' (sedentary and light PA) and 'active use' (moderate and vigorous PA). Logistic regression associated exposures with dichotomised Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire outcomes (internalising difficulties; externalising difficulties; prosocial behaviour), with interactions to examine moderation. A 10-minute increase in total use was associated with 10.5 % lower risk of abnormal internalising outcomes (OR: 0.895; 95 % CI 0.809, 0.990), and 13.2 % lower risk of abnormal externalising outcomes (OR: 0.868; 95 % CI 0.776, 0.990). This suggests that ∼ 60 min of daily total use was associated with 50 % lower risk of abnormal internalising and externalising outcomes. The relative effects of passive and active use were equal, but their associations were moderated by income independently for specific outcomes. For externalising outcomes, the risk of abnormal scores in lower-income children reduced as passive use increased (P = 0.027) but remained constant for higher-income children. For prosocial outcomes, the likelihood of normal scores increased with active use in lower-income children, but not higher-income children (P = 0.005). Sex did not moderate these associations. The findings suggest that targeted interventions supporting disadvantaged children to use natural environments could help address inequalities in mental wellbeing. Further, the moderated associations with types of use suggest the equigenic effects of natural environments may operate through multiple pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Caryl
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Paul McCrorie
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jonathan R Olsen
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard Mitchell
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK
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Cabana D, Pinna S, Farina S, Grech D, Barbieri N, Guala I. Coastal cultural ecosystem services and adolescents' subjective well-being. AMBIO 2024:10.1007/s13280-024-02043-2. [PMID: 38871926 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Despite growing recognition of nature's impact on mental health, its specific effects on adolescents remain unclear. This gap hinders effective strategies for youth well-being in a world facing increasing environmental pressures. This study directly investigates the connections between coastal environments and subjective well-being in adolescents. We explore how interactions with coastal landscapes and associated cultural ecosystem services contribute to both personal and social dimensions of well-being in a sample of 202 adolescents (16 and 17 years old) from Sardinia, Italy. Our findings reveal a beneficial impact of coastal experiences, promoting positive affect, social integration, and physiological well-being. However, human pressures on these environments can lead to negative affect, while fostering a sense of social contribution. This research highlights the complex interplay between coastal environments, human impacts, and teenagers' well-being. Understanding these links empowers planners to craft coastal management strategies that balance adolescents' well-being with the long-term sustainability of coastal regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cabana
- IMC - International Marine Centre, Loc. Sa Mardini Torregrande, 09170, Oristano, Italy.
- Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS), Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Fischertwiete 1, 20095, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Stefania Pinna
- IMC - International Marine Centre, Loc. Sa Mardini Torregrande, 09170, Oristano, Italy
- GREEN LEAF - Groupe de Recherche en Education à l'Environnement et à la Nature, Laboratory of Affective Ecology, Università della Valle d'Aosta, Strada Cappuccini 2a, 11100, Aosta, Italy
| | - Simone Farina
- IMC - International Marine Centre, Loc. Sa Mardini Torregrande, 09170, Oristano, Italy
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Genoa Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Villa del Principe, Piazza del Principe 4, 16126, Genoa, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (CNR-IAS), Loc. Sa Mardini, 09170, Torre Grande, OR, Italy
| | - Daniele Grech
- IMC - International Marine Centre, Loc. Sa Mardini Torregrande, 09170, Oristano, Italy
| | - Nicholas Barbieri
- IMC - International Marine Centre, Loc. Sa Mardini Torregrande, 09170, Oristano, Italy
| | - Ivan Guala
- IMC - International Marine Centre, Loc. Sa Mardini Torregrande, 09170, Oristano, Italy
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Hazell J, Clarke E. Nurturing future leaders for nature: the example of the UK's National Education Nature Park. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220330. [PMID: 38643784 PMCID: PMC11033047 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This piece reviews the evidence on the effect that engaging with nature has on school-age children's future attitudes and behaviour towards nature. It also looks into the impact engaging with nature has on children and young people's physical, mental and personal development and the evidence on how much time children in England are spending in natural environments. It then presents a UK Government project, the National Education Nature Park (NENP), intended to increase children in England's access to nature by developing nature spaces within the grounds of educational institutions. It concludes with suggestions for how the implementation of the NENP could be used to learn more about the effect that engaging with nature has on children alongside understanding how school-based nature projects could benefit the local environment. This article is part of the theme issue 'Bringing nature into decision-making'.
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Roche IV, Ubalde-Lopez M, Daher C, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Gascon M. The Health-Related and Learning Performance Effects of Air Pollution and Other Urban-Related Environmental Factors on School-Age Children and Adolescents-A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:300-316. [PMID: 38369581 PMCID: PMC11082043 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This scoping review aims to assess the impact of air pollution, traffic noise, heat, and green and blue space exposures on the physical and cognitive development of school-age children and adolescents. While existing evidence indicates adverse effects of transport-related exposures on their health, a comprehensive scoping review is necessary to consolidate findings on various urban environmental exposures' effects on children's development. RECENT FINDINGS There is consistent evidence on how air pollution negatively affects children's cognitive and respiratory health and learning performance, increasing their susceptibility to diseases in their adult life. Scientific evidence on heat and traffic noise, while less researched, indicates that they negatively affect children's health. On the contrary, green space exposure seems to benefit or mitigate these adverse effects, suggesting a potential strategy to promote children's cognitive and physical development in urban settings. This review underscores the substantial impact of urban exposures on the physical and mental development of children and adolescents. It highlights adverse health effects that can extend into adulthood, affecting academic opportunities and well-being beyond health. While acknowledging the necessity for more research on the mechanisms of air pollution effects and associations with heat and noise exposure, the review advocates prioritizing policy changes and urban planning interventions. This includes minimizing air pollution and traffic noise while enhancing urban vegetation, particularly in school environments, to ensure the healthy development of children and promote lifelong health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Valls Roche
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mònica Ubalde-Lopez
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolyn Daher
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mireia Gascon
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Banwell N, Michel S, Senn N. Greenspaces and Health: Scoping Review of studies in Europe. Public Health Rev 2024; 45:1606863. [PMID: 38831866 PMCID: PMC11144923 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2024.1606863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Access to greenspaces and contact with nature can promote physical activity and have positive effects on physical and mental health. This scoping literature review aims to examine current evidence linking greenspaces and (a) behaviour change, (b) health outcomes and (c) co-benefits. Methods This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA scoping review guidelines. Searches were conducted through PubMed and EMBASE databases for studies published between 2000 and March 2023 with a focus on Europe. Results 122 scientific articles and grey literature reports were identified. Access to greenspaces is positively associated with physical and mental health, and reduced risk of all-cause mortality and some non-communicable diseases. Greenspace quality is associated with increased physical activity and reduced risk of obesity. Nature-based therapies or green prescription are effective in improving mental health outcomes and overall health. Importantly, numerous co-benefits of greenspaces are identified. Conclusion Increasing access to greenspaces for populations with particular attention to greenspace quality is important for co-benefits. Responsible governance and use of greenspaces are crucial to minimize public health risks and human disturbance of nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Banwell
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Research in Ethics (CIRE), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Michel
- Department of Family Medicine, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Senn
- Department of Family Medicine, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Haile SR, Peralta GP, Raineri A, Rueegg S, Ulytė A, Puhan MA, Radtke T, Kriemler S. Determinants of health-related quality of life in healthy children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:2273-2283. [PMID: 38411717 PMCID: PMC11035415 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05459-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Understanding health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents, during a pandemic and afterwards, aids in understanding how circumstances in their lives impact their well-being. We aimed to identify determinants of HRQOL from a broad range of biological, psychological, and social factors in a large longitudinal population-based sample. Data was taken from a longitudinal sample (n = 1843) of children and adolescents enrolled in the prospective school-based cohort study Ciao Corona in Switzerland. The primary outcome was HRQOL, assessed using the KINDL total score and its subscales (each from 0, worst, to 100, best). Potential determinants, including biological (physical activity, screen time, sleep, etc.), psychological (sadness, anxiousness, stress), and social (nationality, parents' education, etc.) factors, were assessed in 2020 and 2021 and HRQOL in 2022. Determinants were identified in a data-driven manner using recursive partitioning to define homogeneous subgroups, stratified by school level. Median KINDL total score in the empirically identified subgroups ranged from 68 to 83 in primary school children and from 69 to 82 in adolescents in secondary school. The psychological factors sadness, anxiousness, and stress in 2021 were identified as the most important determinants of HRQOL in both primary and secondary school children. Other factors, such as physical activity, screen time, chronic health conditions, or nationality, were determinants only in individual subscales. CONCLUSION Recent mental health, more than biological, physical, or social factors, played a key role in determining HRQOL in children and adolescents during pandemic times. Public health strategies to improve mental health may therefore be effective in improving HRQOL in this age group. WHAT IS KNOWN • Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents aids in understanding how life circumstances impact their well-being. • HRQOL is a complex construct, involving biological, psychological, and social factors. Factors driving HRQOL in children and adolescents are not often studied in longitudinal population-based samples. WHAT IS NEW • Mental health (stress, anxiousness, sadness) played a key role in determining HRQOL during the coronavirus pandemic, more than biological or social factors. • Public health strategies to improve mental health may be effective in improving HRQOL in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Haile
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriela P Peralta
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alessia Raineri
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Rueegg
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Milo A Puhan
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Radtke
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susi Kriemler
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Lynch L, Moorhead A, Long M, Hawthorne-Steele I. "If you don't actually care for somebody, how can you help them?": Exploring Young People's Core Needs in Mental Healthcare-Directions for Improving Service Provision. Community Ment Health J 2024; 60:796-812. [PMID: 38430285 PMCID: PMC11001725 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01237-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Youth suicide and mental health are important issues of global concern that require timely and evidence-based interventions to increase quality of life and prevent deaths. Findings report that young people have lower mental health help-seeking rates, and there is a lack of qualitative research examining why. The aim of this research study was to further understanding on young people's core needs in mental healthcare based on actual experiences (PLE) of help-seeking with providers of mental health services. Constructivist Grounded Theory methods (Charmaz, 2014) informed this study design, and in-depth interviews and a focus group were conducted with 18 young people. The findings were presented across four sub-categories, which together describe the common factors, that are regarded as essential in youth mental healthcare provision. These include: 1. The services; 2. The helper; 3. The interventions, and 4. The impact of development. Critical discussion into young people's needs in mental healthcare was provided including the key service factors, approach and rapport with helpers, types of intervention and alignment with typical developmental capacity. This article provides guidance on how to improve, design, or reform service provision, and can be a useful resource for policy makers, service providers and practitioners. This study concluded that youth participation in the co-design of service provision is important as it can reduce health disparities and ensure that services provide relevant, respectful and suitable care that reflects the way in which young people experience mental health problems as well as the ways in which they want to be helped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Lynch
- School of Communication and Media, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Ulster University, York Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT15 1ED, Northern Ireland.
| | - Anne Moorhead
- School of Communication and Media, Institute for Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, York Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT15 1ED, Northern Ireland
| | - Maggie Long
- School of Communication and Media, Centre for Communication and Media Research, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, Ulster University, York Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT15 1ED, Northern Ireland
| | - Isobel Hawthorne-Steele
- School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Ulster University, York Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT15 1ED, Northern Ireland
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Stenqvist TB, Bere E. How traditional Norwegian outdoor activities are changing; a 10-year follow up in relation to sociodemographic factors. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1355776. [PMID: 38711570 PMCID: PMC11070537 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1355776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The study aims to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic factors and changes in Norwegian outdoor activities between 2008 and 2018. Traditional outdoor activities, such as family trips in nature, the gathering of mushrooms and wild berries, and growing one's own plants to eat, are believed to have a positive impact on physical activity levels and health in general. Method This study includes repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted in 38 randomly selected schools across two Norwegian counties. In 2008, 1,012 parents of 6th and 7th grade students from 27 schools completed a questionnaire. In 2018, 609 new parents from 25 schools participated. Variables were dichotomized. Descriptive analyses between groups were conducted using chi-square statistics. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed with the three outdoor activities as dependent variables, including year only (model 1), and then also gender, age (continuous), education (own and partners), and household income as independent variables (model 2). Results Participation in weekly family trips in nature increased from 22% to 28% (p = 0.002), the OR for year 2018 vs. year 2008 was 1.51. Adjusted for sociodemographic factors, the OR remained stable and significant. Education was the only significant sociodemographic factor (OR = 1.60), indicating the odds of those with a higher education to be 60% higher to engage in weekly family trips in nature. Gathering of wild mushrooms and plants remained stable with time. Being female (OR = 1.44), age (OR = 1.049) and education (OR = 1.49) was related to gathering. An increase in growing plants to eat was observed with an increase from 42% to 51% (p < 0.001), OR = 1.33. However, it did not remain significant in model 2. Education was, in general, positively related to growing food (OR = 1.35). Conclusion We observed a positive increase in family trips in nature over the period from 2008 to 2018. Furthermore, elder parents seem to be more involved in the long-rooted traditional Norwegian grow- and gather culture, and a social gradient is apparent as those with higher education do participate more often in traditional outdoor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elling Bere
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Health and Inequalities & Centre for Evaluation of Public Health Measures, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Wedyan M, Saeidi-Rizi F. Assessing the Impact of Urban Environments on Mental Health and Perception Using Deep Learning: A Review and Text Mining Analysis. J Urban Health 2024; 101:327-343. [PMID: 38466494 PMCID: PMC11052760 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00830-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how outdoor environments affect mental health outcomes is vital in today's fast-paced and urbanized society. Recently, advancements in data-gathering technologies and deep learning have facilitated the study of the relationship between the outdoor environment and human perception. In a systematic review, we investigate how deep learning techniques can shed light on a better understanding of the influence of outdoor environments on human perceptions and emotions, with an emphasis on mental health outcomes. We have systematically reviewed 40 articles published in SCOPUS and the Web of Science databases which were the published papers between 2016 and 2023. The study presents and utilizes a novel topic modeling method to identify coherent keywords. By extracting the top words of each research topic, and identifying the current topics, we indicate that current studies are classified into three areas. The first topic was "Urban Perception and Environmental Factors" where the studies aimed to evaluate perceptions and mental health outcomes. Within this topic, the studies were divided based on human emotions, mood, stress, and urban features impacts. The second topic was titled "Data Analysis and Urban Imagery in Modeling" which focused on refining deep learning techniques, data collection methods, and participants' variability to understand human perceptions more accurately. The last topic was named "Greenery and visual exposure in urban spaces" which focused on the impact of the amount and the exposure of green features on mental health and perceptions. Upon reviewing the papers, this study provides a guide for subsequent research to enhance the view of using deep learning techniques to understand how urban environments influence mental health. It also provides various suggestions that should be taken into account when planning outdoor spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musab Wedyan
- School of Planning, Design and Construction, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Fatemeh Saeidi-Rizi
- School of Planning, Design and Construction, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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Zhang Y, Zhao J, Mavoa S, Fenaughty J, Clark TC, Crengle S, Smith M. Impacts of sociodemographic factors, identities and neighbourhood safety on the relationship between urban green space and adolescent mental well-being: Findings from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. SSM Popul Health 2024; 25:101603. [PMID: 38283547 PMCID: PMC10821595 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explored the relationship between green space accessibility (GSA) in residential area and adolescents' mental well-being, and whether the relationship was moderated by sociodemographic factors (sex, ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation), identities (gender and sexuality minority, disability) and perceived neighbourhood safety simultaneously. Data from 3813 adolescents who lived in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand were obtained from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey. A Gaussian-based two-step floating catchment area method was employed to measure the spatial accessibility to green space at the neighbourhood level. The World Health Organization-5 Well-being Index was used to assess emotional well-being (EW), and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-short form was employed to measure depressive symptoms (DS). Through moderation analyses, results showed that perceived neighbourhood safety plays a vital role in the GSA - mental well-being association, with a negative trend in adolescents who reported being less safe in neighbourhoods. Adverse associations of GSA were found in gender and sexuality minority, disabled, Asian and Pacific adolescents, under the condition of not feeling safe in neighbourhoods all the time. The results showed marginalised adolescents tended to feel less safe in neighbourhoods, have lower EW and a higher level of DS. Additionally, the results from bivariate correlations showed there were inequalities in GSA for adolescents who lived in most deprived neighbourhoods and adolescents of Māori ethnicity. This study provides novel evidence of the importance of safe and inclusive green space for effectively promoting mental health and mitigating health inequalities of adolescents in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Zhang
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jinfeng Zhao
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne Mavoa
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - John Fenaughty
- Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Terryann C. Clark
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sue Crengle
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Melody Smith
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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16
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Griffin GM, Nieto C, Senturia K, Brown M, Garrett K, Nguyen E, Glassy D, Kroshus E, Tandon P. Project nature: promoting outdoor physical activity in children via primary care. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:68. [PMID: 38395776 PMCID: PMC10885514 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02297-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Families face a range of barriers in supporting their children's active play in nature including family circumstances, environmental constraints, and behavioral factors. Evidence-based strategies to address these barriers are needed. We aimed to develop and pilot test a primary care-based family-centered behavioral intervention to promote active outdoor play in 4-10 year-old children. METHODS Project Nature, a provider-delivered intervention that provides informational resources and an age-appropriate toy for nature play, was initially developed for children ages 0-3. With stakeholder input, we adapted existing materials for 4-10 year-olds and conducted usability testing at an urban clinic serving families from diverse backgrounds. Subsequently, we conducted a mix-methods pilot study to evaluate intervention feasibility and acceptability. Parents of 4-10 year-olds completed pre- and post-surveys (n = 22), and a purposive subset (n = 10) completed qualitative interviews. Post-intervention, pediatric providers (n = 4) were interviewed about their implementation experiences. RESULTS The majority (82%) of parents liked the information provided and the remaining (18%) were neutral. Qualitatively, parents reported that: the toy provided a tangible element to help children and parents be active, they did not use the website, and they wished the intervention emphasized strategies for physical activity during cold and wet seasons. Providers felt the materials facilitated discussion about behavior change with families. There were no statistically significant changes in PA and outdoor time pre- and post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS Project Nature was welcomed by providers and families and may be a practical intervention to promote outdoor active play during well-child visits. Providing an age-appropriate nature toy seemed to be a critical component of the intervention, and may be worth the additional cost, time and storage space required by clinics. Building from these results, Project Nature should be revised to better support active outdoor play during suboptimal weather and evaluated to test its efficacy in a fully-powered trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia M Griffin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - Carolina Nieto
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1920 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Kirsten Senturia
- University of Washington School of Public Health, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Marshall Brown
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1920 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Kimberly Garrett
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1920 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Elizabeth Nguyen
- Department of Primary Care & Rural Medicine, Texas A&M School of Medicine, 2900 E 29th Street, Suite 100, Bryan, TX, 77802, USA
| | - Danette Glassy
- BestStart Washington, PO Box 318, Mercer Island, WA, 98040, USA
| | - Emily Kroshus
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1920 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Pooja Tandon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1920 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
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Wang L, Md Sani N. The impact of outdoor blue spaces on the health of the elderly: A systematic review. Health Place 2024; 85:103168. [PMID: 38211359 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Research on natural health has identified the potential benefit of outdoor blue spaces for human health and wellbeing. However, the existing evidence has relatively limited attention to the elderly. This study aims to review the available evidence on outdoor blue spaces and health outcomes among older individuals and identify knowledge gaps. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, specific keywords were used to search for articles published in English from inception to October 2023. Five databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched, and 22 studies were identified in this review. We classified articles based on elderly health as general health (e.g., self-reported, perceived health and wellbeing), physical health (e.g., physical activity, physical function index), and mental health and wellbeing (e.g., depression). The findings indicated a positive correlation between outdoor blue space and the health of the elderly. In terms of the characteristics of exposure to outdoor blue spaces, direct contact (e.g., sensory-based) has not been well documented compared to indirect contact (e.g., distance, percentage, region-based). Although encouraging, the available body of evidence is limited and lacks consistency. Future research is needed to provide complementary evidence between outdoor blue spaces and elderly health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Wang
- School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia; Department of Life Sciences, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, China.
| | - Norazmawati Md Sani
- School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
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18
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Butcher MB, Haakenstad MK, Noonan CJ, Fyfe-Johnson AL. Identifying Challenges and Solutions to Early Childhood Education and the Perceived Importance of Outdoor Time: A Mixed Methods Approach in a Socioeconomically Diverse Population. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7166. [PMID: 38131717 PMCID: PMC10871083 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The current literature supports the positive relationship between time in nature and the improvement in children's health and identifies early childhood education (ECE) settings as an avenue for intervention. Unfortunately, access to both outdoor time and ECE opportunities is lower in communities facing economic adversity. Efforts are needed to identify the best approaches to incorporate outdoor time in ECE settings, especially in communities facing socioeconomic adversity. The objectives of this research were to use a mixed methods approach to identify (1) barriers and solutions to the integration of outdoor time in ECE settings, (2) if outdoor time is a priority in ECE settings compared to other ECE priorities, and (3) how socioeconomic status influences ECE priorities and barriers for outdoor time, and health outcomes. Fourteen focus groups were conducted (n = 50) in the United States (US) with participants from three stakeholder groups: outdoor educators, parents of children attending outdoor preschool, and community members with children. Participants completed a survey (n = 49) to evaluate demographics, views on ECE and outdoor time, and health characteristics. Exploratory analyses of F as an effect modifier were conducted. The survey results showed that parents prioritized social and emotional learning and outdoor time when selecting an ECE setting for their child. The barriers identified include financial challenges and the limited availability of ECE programs. The solutions discussed included increased availability and financial support. Low income was correlated with higher rates of anxiety and increased outdoor time was a potential protective factor. These insights inform interventions to enhance outdoor time in ECE settings, with the goal of reducing disparities and promoting children's overall health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amber L. Fyfe-Johnson
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA; (M.B.B.); (M.K.H.)
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19
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Haakenstad MK, Butcher MB, Noonan CJ, Fyfe-Johnson AL. Outdoor Time in Childhood: A Mixed Methods Approach to Identify Barriers and Opportunities for Intervention in a Racially and Ethnically Mixed Population. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7149. [PMID: 38131701 PMCID: PMC10743276 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of literature suggests that outdoor time is beneficial for physical and mental health in childhood. Profound disparities exist in access to outdoor spaces (and the health benefits thereof) for children in communities of color. The objectives of this research were to: (1) identify challenges and solutions to outdoor time for children; (2) assess the importance of outdoor time for children; and (3) evaluate results stratified by race/ethnicity. Using a convergent mixed methods approach, we conducted a thematic analysis from 14 focus groups (n = 50) with outdoor educators, parents with children attending outdoor preschools, and community members with children. In addition, 49 participants completed a survey to identify challenges and solutions, perceived importance, and culturally relevant perspectives of outdoor time. The main challenges identified for outdoor time were safety concerns, inclement weather, lack of access to outdoor spaces, and parent work schedules. The primary proposed solution was integrating outdoor time into the school day. Nearly all participants, independent of racial identity, reported that outdoor time improved physical and mental health. Overall outdoor time was lower in participants from communities of color (~8 h/week) compared to their White counterparts (~10 h/week). While 50% of people of color (POC) reported that outdoor time was an important cultural value, only 18% reported that people in their respective culture spent time outside. This work contributes to accumulating knowledge that unique barriers to outdoor time exist for communities of color, and the children that live, learn, and play in these communities. Increasing outdoor time in school settings offers a potential solution to reduce identified barriers and to promote health equity in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena K. Haakenstad
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Seattle, WA 98101, USA; (M.K.H.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Maria B. Butcher
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA;
| | - Carolyn J. Noonan
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Seattle, WA 98101, USA; (M.K.H.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Amber L. Fyfe-Johnson
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Seattle, WA 98101, USA; (M.K.H.); (C.J.N.)
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20
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Dodd HF, Nesbit RJ, FitzGibbon L. Child's Play: Examining the Association Between Time Spent Playing and Child Mental Health. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023; 54:1678-1686. [PMID: 35562504 PMCID: PMC9106508 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01363-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
It is theorised that adventurous play offers learning opportunities that help to prevent mental health problems in children. In this study, data from two samples is used to examine associations between the time that children aged 5-11 years spent playing adventurously and their mental health. For comparison, time spent playing unadventurously and time spent playing outdoors are also examined. Study 1 includes a sample of 417 parents, Study 2 includes data from a nationally representative sample of 1919 parents. Small, significant associations between adventurous play and internalising problems, as well as positive affect during the first UK-wide Covid-19 lockdown, were found; children who spend more time playing adventurously had fewer internalising problems and more positive affect during the Covid-19 lockdown. Study 2 showed that these associations were stronger for children from lower income families than for children from higher income families. The results align with theoretical hypotheses about adventurous play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen F. Dodd
- Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration (ChyMe), College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, 2.05b South Cloisters, St Luke’s Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU UK
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences (PCLS), University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Rachel J. Nesbit
- Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration (ChyMe), College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, 2.05b South Cloisters, St Luke’s Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU UK
| | - Lily FitzGibbon
- Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration (ChyMe), College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, 2.05b South Cloisters, St Luke’s Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU UK
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences (PCLS), University of Reading, Reading, UK
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21
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Riches S, Nicholson SL, Fialho C, Little J, Ahmed L, McIntosh H, Kaleva I, Sandford T, Cockburn R, Odoi C, Azevedo L, Vasile R, Payne-Gill J, Fisher HL, van Driel C, Veling W, Valmaggia L, Rumball F. Integrating a virtual reality relaxation clinic within acute psychiatric services: A pilot study. Psychiatry Res 2023; 329:115477. [PMID: 37802013 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
People with acute psychiatric conditions experience heightened stress, which is associated with worsened symptoms and increased violence on psychiatric wards. Traditional stress management techniques can be challenging for patients. Virtual reality (VR) relaxation appears promising to reduce stress; however, research on VR for psychiatric wards is limited. This mixed-methods study investigated feasibility and acceptability of integrating a VR relaxation clinic within acute psychiatric services. The study evaluated a VR relaxation session for inpatients and outpatients with acute psychiatric conditions (N = 42) and therapists' (N = 6) experience facilitating VR sessions for patients. Self-report assessments of psychological wellbeing were completed by patients pre- and post-VR. Patients and therapists provided qualitative feedback. The number of violent incidents and restrictive practices on the wards in the 12 weeks before VR implementation was compared to the first 12 weeks of VR. Post-VR, there were statistically significant increases in patients' relaxation, happiness, and connectedness to nature, and decreases in stress, anxiety, and sadness. Qualitative findings indicate patients found sessions enjoyable, relaxing, and helpful. Therapists provided positive feedback but highlighted practical challenges. Violent incidents and restrictive practices halved during VR implementation. VR relaxation appears feasible and acceptable in acute services. Larger studies should evaluate potential impact on psychiatric wards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Riches
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; King's College London, Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom.
| | - Sarah L Nicholson
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Carolina Fialho
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom; King's College London, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Jordan Little
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Lava Ahmed
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Harley McIntosh
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom; King's College London, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Ina Kaleva
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom; King's College London, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Sandford
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Cockburn
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Clarissa Odoi
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Azevedo
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Ruxandra Vasile
- The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and University of Oxford, Isis Education Centre, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - James Payne-Gill
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Helen L Fisher
- King's College London, Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King's College London, London WC2B 6NR, United Kingdom
| | - Catheleine van Driel
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wim Veling
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lucia Valmaggia
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX, United Kingdom; KU Leuven, Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Freya Rumball
- King's College London, Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; Oxleas Adult Autism Service, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Kent DA2 7WG, United Kingdom
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Aghabozorgi K, van der Jagt A, Bell S, Brown C. Assessing the impact of blue and green spaces on mental health of disabled children: A scoping review. Health Place 2023; 84:103141. [PMID: 37951182 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
During recent decades, there has been a growing consideration of the role of blue and green spaces on mental health of children, but there is insufficient attention in the literature to the mental health of children with disabilities. This paper presents an overview of the evidence on how blue and green spaces affect the mental health of children with various disabilities. A database search found twenty studies eligible for the review, after several consecutive screening stages. Most studies used a cross-sectional design and were carried out in Europe. The results consistently indicate that blue and green space can reduce emotional, behavioral, and social problems in disabled children. A protective association was found between the level of blue or greenness and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Moreover, in most of the studies there were no significant changes in the result after adjusting for socioeconomic confounders. Generally, there is an identified need for more short-term exposure studies in this area, focusing on the impact of landscape design elements on mental health of disabled children. The findings of this scoping review call on urban planners, health care workers and decision makers to consider appropriate measures and interventions providing more blue and green space exposure to disabled children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koorosh Aghabozorgi
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Alexander van der Jagt
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon Bell
- Chair of landscape architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56/1, Tartu, 51009, Estonia
| | - Caroline Brown
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
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Geary RS, Thompson DA, Garrett JK, Mizen A, Rowney FM, Song J, White MP, Lovell R, Watkins A, Lyons RA, Williams S, Stratton G, Akbari A, Parker SC, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, White J, Wheeler BW, Fry R, Tsimpida D, Rodgers SE. Green-blue space exposure changes and impact on individual-level well-being and mental health: a population-wide dynamic longitudinal panel study with linked survey data. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 11:1-176. [PMID: 37929711 DOI: 10.3310/lqpt9410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cross-sectional evidence suggests that living near green and blue spaces benefits mental health; longitudinal evidence is limited. Objectives To quantify the impact of changes in green and blue spaces on common mental health disorders, well-being and health service use. Design A retrospective, dynamic longitudinal panel study. Setting Wales, UK. Participants An e-cohort comprising 99,682,902 observations of 2,801,483 adults (≥ 16 years) registered with a general practice in Wales (2008-2019). A 5312-strong 'National Survey for Wales (NSW) subgroup' was surveyed on well-being and visits to green and blue spaces. Main outcome measures Common mental health disorders, general practice records; subjective well-being, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Data sources Common mental health disorder and use of general practice services were extracted quarterly from the Welsh Longitudinal General Practice Dataset. Annual ambient greenness exposure, enhanced vegetation index and access to green and blue spaces (2018) from planning and satellite data. Data were linked within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank. Methods Multilevel regression models examined associations between exposure to green and blue spaces and common mental health disorders and use of general practice. For the National Survey for Wales subgroup, generalised linear models examined associations between exposure to green and blue spaces and subjective well-being and common mental health disorders. Results and conclusions Our longitudinal analyses found no evidence that changes in green and blue spaces through time impacted on common mental health disorders. However, time-aggregated exposure to green and blue spaces contrasting differences between people were associated with subsequent common mental health disorders. Similarly, our cross-sectional findings add to growing evidence that residential green and blue spaces and visits are associated with well-being benefits: Greater ambient greenness (+ 1 enhanced vegetation index) was associated with lower likelihood of subsequently seeking care for a common mental health disorder [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval, (CI) 0.80 to 0.81] and with well-being with a U-shaped relationship [Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale; enhanced vegetation index beta (adjusted) -10.15, 95% CI -17.13 to -3.17; EVI2 beta (quadratic term; adj.) 12.49, 95% CI 3.02 to 21.97]. Those who used green and blue spaces for leisure reported better well-being, with diminishing extra benefit with increasing time (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale: time outdoors (hours) beta 0.88, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.24, time outdoors2 beta -0.06, 95% CI -0.11 to -0.01) and had 4% lower odds of seeking help for common mental health disorders (AOR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99). Those in urban areas benefited most from greater access to green and blue spaces (AOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.89). Those in material deprivation benefited most from leisure time outdoors (until approximately four hours per week; Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale: time outdoors × in material deprivation: 1.41, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.43; time outdoors2 × in material deprivation -0.18, 95% CI -0.33 to -0.04) although well-being remained generally lower. Limitations Longitudinal analyses were restricted by high baseline levels and limited temporal variation in ambient greenness in Wales. Changes in access to green and blue spaces could not be captured annually due to technical issues with national-level planning datasets. Future work Further analyses could investigate mental health impacts in population subgroups potentially most sensitive to local changes in access to specific types of green and blue spaces. Deriving green and blue spaces changes from planning data is needed to overcome temporal uncertainties. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme (Project number 16/07/07) and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 11, No. 10. Sarah Rodgers is part-funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Geary
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Joanne K Garrett
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Truro, UK
| | - Amy Mizen
- Department of Health Data Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Francis M Rowney
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Truro, UK
| | - Jiao Song
- Department of Health Data Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Truro, UK
| | - Rebecca Lovell
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Truro, UK
| | - Alan Watkins
- Department of Health Data Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Ronan A Lyons
- Department of Health Data Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | | | - Ashley Akbari
- Department of Health Data Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Sarah C Parker
- Department of Health Data Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | - James White
- Centre for Trials Research, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Benedict W Wheeler
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Truro, UK
| | - Richard Fry
- Department of Health Data Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Dialechti Tsimpida
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah E Rodgers
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Bouter DC, Ravensbergen SJ, Lakerveld J, Hoogendijk WJG, Grootendorst-van Mil NH. Associations between the urban environment and psychotic experiences in adolescents. Schizophr Res 2023; 260:123-131. [PMID: 37639836 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2050 two-thirds of the world's population is predicted to live in cities, which asks for a better understanding of how the urban environment affects mental health. Urbanicity has repeatedly been found to be a risk factor, in particular for psychosis. Here, we explored what factors of the urban exposome underlie the association between urban characteristics and psychotic experiences (PE) in adolescents. METHODS Participants were 815 adolescents (mean age 14.84 years, SD 0.78) from an at-risk cohort (greater Rotterdam area, the Netherlands) oversampled on their self-reported emotional and behavioral problems. We used linear regression analysis to examine the association with detailed geodata on urbanicity (surrounding address density), green space density (high and low vegetation), and mixed noise levels (road, rail, air, industry, and wind power) with PE in adolescents. Analyses were adjusted for multiple socio-economic and parental confounders. Furthermore, we explored sex-interaction effects. RESULTS Higher surrounding address density and low greenspace density were each independently associated with more PE (B = 0.18, 95 % CI 0.02; 0.34 and B = 0.17, 95 % CI 0.01; 0.32, respectively). High mixed noise levels were only associated with more PE in boys (B = 0.23, 95 % CI 0.01; 0.46). A sex-interaction effect was found for high urbanicity (B = -0.46, 95 % CI -0.77; -0.14) and low greenspace density (B = -0.49, 95 % CI -0.73; -0.11), illustrating that these associations with PE were specific for boys. CONCLUSION Multiple characteristics of living in an urban area are associated with more PE in adolescent boys. Our observations provide leads for prevention of mental health problems via urban designing.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Bouter
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S J Ravensbergen
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Lakerveld
- Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - W J G Hoogendijk
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - N H Grootendorst-van Mil
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute (ESPRi), Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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25
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Wahi G, Kandasamy S, Bangdiwala SI, Baumann A, Crea-Arsenio M, Desai D, DiLiberto D, Georgiades K, Jackson-Best F, Kwan M, Montague P, Newbold KB, Sherifali D, Sim A, de Souza RJ, Anand SS. Strengthening Community Roots: Anchoring Newcomers in Wellness and Sustainability (SCORE!): A protocol for the co-design and evaluation of a healthy active living program among a newcomer community in Canada. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288851. [PMID: 37768908 PMCID: PMC10538726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of childhood obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors affecting newcomer Canadians living in lower socioeconomic circumstances is a concerning public health issue. This paper describes Strengthening Community Roots: Anchoring Newcomers in Wellness and Sustainability (SCORE!), an academic-community research partnership to co-design interventions that nurture and optimize healthy activity living (HAL) among a community of children and families new to Canada in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. METHODS/DESIGN Our overarching program is informed by a socio-ecological model, and will co-create HAL interventions for children and families new to Canada rooted in outdoor, nature-based physical activity. We will proceed in three phases: Phase 1) synthesis of existing evidence regarding nature based HAL interventions among children and families; Phase 2) program development through four data collection activities including: i) community engagement activities to build trustful relationships and understand barriers and facilitators, including establishing a community advisory and action board, qualitative studies including a photovoice study, and co-design workshops to develop programs; ii) characterizing the demographics of the community through a household survey; iii) characterizing the built environment and HAL programs/services available in the community by developing an accessible real-time systems map; and iv) reviewing municipal policies relevant to HAL and sustainability; leading to Phase 3) implementation and evaluation of the feasibility of co-designed HAL programs. CONCLUSION The etiology of childhood obesity and related chronic diseases is complex and multifactorial, as are intervention strategies. The SCORE! program of research brings together partners including community members, service providers, academic researchers, and organizational leaders to build a multi-component intervention that promotes the health and wellness of newcomer children and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gita Wahi
- Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Chanchlani Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sujane Kandasamy
- Chanchlani Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, St Catherines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shrikant I. Bangdiwala
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Baumann
- School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Global Health Office, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary Crea-Arsenio
- Global Health Office, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dipika Desai
- Chanchlani Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deborah DiLiberto
- Global Health Office, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katholiki Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fatimah Jackson-Best
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew Kwan
- Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, St Catherines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia Montague
- Chanchlani Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - K. Bruce Newbold
- School of Earth, Environment & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Diana Sherifali
- School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda Sim
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Russell J. de Souza
- Chanchlani Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sonia S. Anand
- Chanchlani Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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26
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Liu H, Xu X, Tam VWY, Mao P. What is the "DNA" of healthy buildings? A critical review and future directions. RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS 2023; 183:113460. [PMID: 37359216 PMCID: PMC10280327 DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, buildings that provide improved performance have aroused extensive discussion. Nowadays, the connotation of healthy building is becoming complex, performance metrics for healthy buildings vary significantly from different regions in the world and there may be information asymmetry among stakeholders. Consequently, building health performance cannot be effectively achieved. However, previous studies have launched extensive reviews on green building, and there remains a lack of comprehensive and systematic reviews on healthy buildings. To address the above issues, therefore, this research aims to (1) conduct a thorough review of healthy building research and reveal its nature; and (2) identify the current research gaps and propose possible future research directions. Content analysis using NVivo were applied to review 238 relevant publications. A DNA framework of healthy buildings, which clarifies the characteristics, triggers, guides and actions, was then constructed for better understanding of the nature of them. Subsequently, the application of DNA framework and the directions of future research were discussed. Six future research directions were finally recommended, including life-cycle thinking, standard systems improvement, policies & regulations, awareness increase, healthy building examination, and multidisciplinary integration. This research differs from previous ones because it painted a panorama of previous healthy building research. Findings of this research contribute to reveal knowledge map of healthy buildings, guide researchers to fill existing knowledge gaps, provide a standardized platform for healthy building stakeholders, and promote high-quality development of healthy buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- School of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Long Pan Road, Nanjing, 210037, PR China
| | - Xiaoxiao Xu
- School of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Long Pan Road, Nanjing, 210037, PR China
| | - Vivian W Y Tam
- School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Peng Mao
- School of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Long Pan Road, Nanjing, 210037, PR China
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27
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Abdollahi S, Waygood EOD, Aliyas Z, Cloutier MS. An Overview of How the Built Environment Relates to Children's Health. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:264-277. [PMID: 37507592 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00405-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Explore the varied pathways between the built environment and children's health. The review begins by describing how the built environment and transport infrastructure relate to conditions that lead to health outcomes. The review examines emissions, noise, and traffic dangers in relation to children's physical, mental, and social health. RECENT FINDINGS Evidence is increasing for walkable neighborhoods and health-related behavior such as physical activity. However, diverse land uses (often supporting walkability) were also found to increase traffic injuries. Cognitive impacts of motorways on children at schools were found. Finally, the relationships between social activities and built environment are beginning. The built environment's influence on various physical health outcomes is increasingly clear and is often through a transport pathway. However, the links with mental and social health are less developed, though recent findings show significant results. Having accessible child-relevant destinations is an important consideration for children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Abdollahi
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - E Owen D Waygood
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Zeinab Aliyas
- Centre Urbanisation Culture Société, Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique, Montreal, H7B 1V7, Canada
| | - Marie-Soleil Cloutier
- Centre Urbanisation Culture Société, Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique, Montreal, H7B 1V7, Canada
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28
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LoTemplio S, Bettmann JE, Scott E, Blumenthal E. Do Mental Health Changes in Nature Co-occur with Changes in Heartrate Variability and Executive Functioning? A Systematic Review. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:278-290. [PMID: 37516682 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00407-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Given the global burden of mental health issues, new solutions are needed to promote mental health. Nature exposure represents a promising option to promote mental health, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Recent frameworks have argued that changes in mental health in nature are caused by activity changes in the vagus nerve, which connects the heart and the brain, and that these changes also improve executive functioning (EF) abilities. This suggests that changes in mental health symptomology in nature should be accompanied by changes in vagus nerve activity, as well as changes in executive functioning. Yet, little work has systematically examined co-variation of these outcomes in empirical studies. The present manuscript systematically examines whether changes in mental health in nature are accompanied by changes in vagus nerve activity (approximated by heartrate variability) and changes in executive functioning. RECENT FINDINGS There is compelling evidence that spending time in nature can increase heartrate variability, improve mental health, and improve executive functioning. However, despite strong theoretical claims that these three outcomes should be linked after spending time in nature settings, few studies directly examine such co-occurrence. The study systematically examines whether studies that considered both mental health and executive functioning (n = 6) showed co-occurring effects in response to nature exposure. Similarly, the study also considers if studies examining mental health and heartrate variability (n = 6) showed similarly directional effects following nature exposure. This systematic review concludes with discussion about the limited number of studies (n =1) that include all three measures. We find mixed results of co-occurrence with these variables, suggesting that the relationship between these three constructs in nature may be more nuanced than current theory suggests. Perhaps more importantly, our results demonstrate that there is very little existing work linking changes in mental health to changes in EF and vagal tone. We conclude with justification for why it may be beneficial for researchers to include all three metrics as well as guidance on how to do so.
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Stone T, Trepal D, Lafreniere D, Sadler RC. Built and social indices for hazards in Children's environments. Health Place 2023; 83:103074. [PMID: 37482035 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Leveraging the capabilities of the Historical Spatial Data Infrastructure (HSDI) and composite indices we explore the importance of children's built and social environments on health. We apply contemporary GIS methods to a set of 2000 historical school records contextualized within an existing HSDI to establish seven variables measuring the relative quality of each child's built and social environments. We then combined these variables to create a composite index that assesses acute (short-term) health risks generated by their environments. Our results show that higher acute index values significantly correlated with higher presence of disease in the home. Further, higher income significantly correlated with lower acute index values, indicating that the relative quality of children's environments in our study area were constrained by familial wealth. This work demonstrates the importance of analyzing multiple activity spaces when assessing built and social environments, as well as the importance of spatial microdata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Stone
- Social Sciences Department, Michigan Technological University, USA.
| | - Dan Trepal
- Social Sciences Department, Michigan Technological University, USA
| | - Don Lafreniere
- Social Sciences Department, Michigan Technological University, USA
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30
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Veiga G, Guerreiro D, Marmeleira J, Santos GD, Pomar C. OUT to IN: a body-oriented intervention program to promote preschoolers' self-regulation and relationship skills in the outdoors. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1195305. [PMID: 37599760 PMCID: PMC10435744 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1195305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Time for movement and outdoor experiences has decreased in children's daily lives. Nevertheless, a growing body of research has shown that body-oriented interventions and outdoor time benefit preschoolers' social-emotional development, a foundation for mental health. OUT to IN is a body-oriented intervention program implemented outdoors, designed to promote preschoolers' social-emotional competence. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of OUT to IN on preschoolers' self-regulation and relationship skills. Methods A cluster randomized trial with multi-method and multi-informant assessment was implemented including 233 children between 3 and 6 years (122 boys, Mage = 5.07 years), from 4 preschools (8 groups with OUT to IN intervention, 4 groups without intervention - control group). The 153 children allocated to the OUT to IN group participated in biweekly sessions for 10 weeks. OUT to IN sessions followed a body-oriented approach comprising exercise play, relaxation, and symbolization activities, implemented outdoors by a psychomotor therapist and the preschool teacher. Sessions enabled children to feel, observe and control their bodily states and understand the relationship between their bodies and emotions. Teachers participated in a brief course and on 20 biweekly relaxation sessions. Children's self-regulation was measured through specific tasks and a parent questionnaire. Relationship skills (i.e., empathy, communication, cooperation and sociability) were measured through parents' and preschool teachers' questionnaires. Mann-Whitney test was used to study differences at baseline between the OUT to IN group and the control group, and to study differences in the 10-week changes between both groups. Wilcoxon Test was used for intragroup comparisons. Results After the 10-week intervention period, children who participated in OUT to IN showed significant improvements on self-regulation and relationship skills (empathy, cooperation and sociability), in comparison to the control group who did not show any significant improvements. Large size effects (η2 > 0.14) were found for most of the variables related to self-regulation and small (η2 > 0.01), medium (η2 > 0.06) and large size effects (η2 > 0.14) were found for the variables related to relationship skills. Conclusion OUT to IN showed to be an effective body-oriented intervention program in improving children's self-regulation and relationship skills, which are recognized foundations for mental health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guida Veiga
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Daniela Guerreiro
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - José Marmeleira
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Graça Duarte Santos
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Clarinda Pomar
- Departamento de Pedagogia e Educação, Escola de Ciências Sociais, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Educação e Psicologia, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
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Dias Rodrigues A, Marmeleira J, Pomar C, Lamy E, Guerreiro D, Veiga G. Body-oriented interventions to promote preschoolers' social-emotional competence: a quasi-experimental study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1198199. [PMID: 37599738 PMCID: PMC10436081 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1198199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Social-emotional competence is foundational to children's health and well-being. Body-oriented interventions, such as relaxation or play based interventions, have been shown to promote social-emotional competence, however more studies are needed to better understand the specific benefits of each type of body-oriented approach. Objective The present study aimed to examine the chronic and the acute effects of three body-oriented intervention programs (loose parts play, relaxation and combining loose parts play and relaxation) on preschoolers' social-emotional competence. Methods A quasi-experimental study was carried out, including 62 preschoolers (4.44 ± 0.93 years) that were allocated into 4 groups: Loose Parts Play program (n = 17); Relaxation program (n = 17); Combined program (n = 13); and Waitlist Control Group (no intervention; n = 15). All three intervention programs had a 12-week duration, with biweekly sessions of 30-min, implemented in the preschool outdoors. To examine the chronic effects of the intervention programs, all instruments (parents' and preschool teacher's questionnaires, tasks and saliva) were collected at baseline and after the 12-week period. To examine the acute effects, saliva samples were collected immediately before and after the 1st and the 24th sessions, with a total of 4 collections per child. Results Both loose parts play and relaxation interventions significantly improved (p < 0.05) children's positive emotion expression. Several within-groups changes were found for the Loose parts play, Relaxation and Combined programs. Conclusion Body-oriented interventions effectively promote preschoolers' social-emotional competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Dias Rodrigues
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - José Marmeleira
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Clarinda Pomar
- Departamento de Pedagogia e Educação, Escola de Ciências Sociais, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Educação e Psicologia, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Elsa Lamy
- MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Universidade Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Daniela Guerreiro
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Guida Veiga
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
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Wright B. Improving the Scope of Child Mental Health Interventions in Our Modern World. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6149. [PMID: 37372734 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Twenty years ago, an important systematic review showed that the empirical research evidence for interventions available for children and young people with mental health problems were rarely developed with their specific developmental needs in mind [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Wright
- Hull York Medical School and Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
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Šorytė D, Rosa CD, Collado S, Pakalniškienė V. The effects of nature-based interventions on individuals' environmental behaviors: protocol for a systematic review of controlled trials. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1145720. [PMID: 37333586 PMCID: PMC10275608 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The paper presents the rationale and methods of the planned systematic review to understand the effects of nature-based interventions on individuals' environmental behaviors. There is ample evidence that experiences in nature not only enhance human well-being but also help promote people's pro-environmentalism. Nevertheless, synthesized evidence regarding the effects of nature-based interventions on individuals' environmental behaviors is lacking. Methods This protocol follows the Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. The planned literature search will be conducted by using APA PsycInfo, APA PsyArticles, PubMed, ERIC, Education Source, GreenFILE, OpenDissertations, Scopus, and WEB of Science. In the protocol, we present search strategies for each specific database. Data items that we will seek to obtain from the selected publications are described in detail and cover general information about included studies, information about studies' methodology and participants, outcomes of the studies, and nature-based and comparative interventions. The outcomes will be behavioral, including aggregated and specific types of environmental behaviors, as well as reported and observed behaviors. Furthermore, the protocol provides a description of the prospective assessment of the risk of bias in both randomized and non-randomized studies. If studies appear sufficiently homogeneous, we will conduct a meta-analysis using the inverse-variance method. Details of the data synthesis are likewise provided in the paper. Results Dissemination of the results of the planned review will be carried out via a peer-reviewed open-access journal publication. Implications Given the great need to address current environmental issues, understanding what encourages people to act pro-environmentally is critical. It is expected that the findings of the planned review will provide valuable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers who are involved in understanding and promoting human environmental behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dovilė Šorytė
- Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Claudio D. Rosa
- Department of Development and Environment, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Silvia Collado
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Universidad de Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain
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Berg KA, DeRenzo M, Carpiano RM, Lowenstein I, Perzynski AT. Go-along interview assessment of community health priorities for neighborhood renewal. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 71:437-452. [PMID: 36947385 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Healthcare systems are increasingly investing in approaches to address social determinants of health and health disparities. Such initiatives dovetail with certain approaches to neighborhood development, such as the EcoDistrict standard for community development, that prioritize both ecologically and socially sustainable neighborhoods. However, healthcare system and community development initiatives can be untethered from the preferences and lived realities of residents in the very neighborhoods upon which they focus. Utilizing the go-along approach to collecting qualitative data in situ, we interviewed 19 adults to delineate residents' community health perspectives and priorities. Findings reveal health priorities distinct from clinical outcomes, with residents emphasizing social connectedness, competing intra- and interneighborhood perceptions that potentially thwart social connectedness, and a neighborhood emplacement of agency, dignity, and self-worth. Priorities of healthcare systems and community members alike must be accounted for to optimize efforts that promote health and social well-being by being valid and meaningful to the community of focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Berg
- Center for Health Care Research and Policy, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Maria DeRenzo
- Center for Health Care Research and Policy, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Richard M Carpiano
- School of Public Policy, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
- Department of Sociology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
- Center for Healthy Communities, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | - Adam T Perzynski
- Center for Health Care Research and Policy, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Najmussaqib A, Mushtaq A. Estimation and linkage between behavioral problems and social emotional competence among Pakistani young school children. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0278719. [PMID: 37228066 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral problems are commonly occurring concerns in school children and if left unidentified can result in worse outcomes in any society. The research aims to explore the prevalence of behavioral problems and its association with social emotional competence in young school children from a community sample of Islamabad, Pakistan. The cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2021 in four public primary schools in Islamabad, Pakistan. Two stage cluster sampling was used to select study sites. The sample comprised 426 school children (males = 182, females = 195) aged 4-8 years (Mean age = 6.5, SD = 1.09), from three different grades kindergarten, 1, and 2, respectively. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Social Emotional Development Assessment (SEDA) were used to screen behavioral problems and social emotional competences of children. Data were analyzed using Stata 17. Prevalence for overall behavioral problems accounted for 65.4% (4-6 years) and 36.2% (6-8 years) in the abnormal (borderline and clinical) ranges of total problems. Social emotional competence scores were found significantly negatively associated with behavioral problems of children. The high prevalence necessitates the provision of mental health care to school-aged children. The findings should be taken as a call to Pakistan's policymakers, clinicians, and researchers to develop proper screening and management protocols for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arooj Najmussaqib
- Department of Applied Psychology, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Asia Mushtaq
- Department of Applied Psychology, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Mathur M, Robiolio H, Ebert L, Kerr B. Family stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative analysis. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e061396. [PMID: 37169509 PMCID: PMC10186085 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to understand experiences with stress and coping strategies used among families in the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN/SETTING This qualitative study took place in the paediatric outpatient clinics of a large academic medical centre in the USA between March and July of 2021. PARTICIPANTS Parents (over the age of 18 years) of children under the age of 18 years were invited to complete a 30-minute semistructured interview. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Participants were asked about types of stressors experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and coping strategies used. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. In the grounded theory tradition, transcripts underwent thematic analysis. RESULTS A total of 26 participants completed interviews, including 88% (n=23) women, 85% (n=22) reported having children under the age of 10 years and 65% (n=17) were 30-50 years of age. Themes that emerged included the compounding effect of COVID-19 stressors, in which participants described multiple, intersecting sources of stress. One parent noted, "I worked two different jobs, since the other job I had counted on working, I lost because of COVID. And so, working from home, also with the kids, was stressful." The second theme reflected the challenges for children with virtual schooling due to decreased educational support. The third theme was the need for parental self-care. The fourth theme was finding the silver lining in which parents noted unforeseen opportunities for resilience by spending time in nature and activities promoting family bonding. CONCLUSIONS Parents indicated need for self-care, connecting with their child(ren) and spending time in nature. Future work should develop approaches to support families in these areas when facing complex stressors, especially during a pandemic or other times of crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mala Mathur
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hannah Robiolio
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Lucas Ebert
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Bradley Kerr
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Richard A, Bruat C, Febvrel D, Squinazi F, Simos J, Zmirou-Navier D. Creation and testing of the Domiscore-a tool to characterize the impact of housing on health and well-being. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:815. [PMID: 37143018 PMCID: PMC10157125 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15451-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite evidence of the major impact housing carries on health, many individuals still live in unhealthy dwellings. In France, the Domiscore has been proposed as a tool to assess the quality of dwellings with regard to their health impact, to allow for a better detection of unsafe housing and to improve dwellings. The aim of this paper is to present the method used to construct the Domiscore and test its relevance and usability. METHODS The Domiscore grid, inspired by the Nutriscore, consists of 46 variables-such as air quality, light or outdoor view. Each variable is scored on a four-point scale using in situ observation, mandatory diagnostics and open access data. The sum of each variable's score results in an overall risk score for the dwelling. The Domiscore was tested in two phases. During the first testing phase, 11 real estate professionals, health professionals and social workers used the Domiscore for on-site visits in different geographic areas of France. They then participated in a semi-structured qualitative interview. The second phase consisted in a public consultation with diverse stakeholders such as public authorities, housing activists and social workers, using an online survey to collect their opinions on the Domiscore's relevance, understandability and usability. RESULTS The Domiscore was tested on 28 homes. Variables completion rates were high irrespective of tester profile for all home visits (91%, SD = 4.7%). The mean time needed to fill in the grid was 1.5 h. The public consultation returned 151 responses. The Domiscore was deemed easy to understand, relevant, and rather easy to fill out. Most participants found the Domiscore useful for information gathering, awareness raising, detecting at-risk situations and agreed that it could contribute to enhance housing conditions. Its length was noted, although the inclusion of additional variables was also suggested. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that the Domiscore is accessible to housing specialists and other professionals for the evaluation of a dwelling's health impacts and the standardized detection of dangerous situations. The testing process allowed for improvements in the grid and training materials for future users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Richard
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Camille Bruat
- HCSP (High Council of Public Health), Paris, France.
| | | | | | - Jean Simos
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- HCSP (High Council of Public Health), Paris, France
| | - Denis Zmirou-Navier
- HCSP (High Council of Public Health), Paris, France
- Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
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Krupa-Kotara K, Wojtas G, Grajek M, Grot M, Rozmiarek M, Wypych-Ślusarska A, Oleksiuk K, Głogowska-Ligus J, Słowiński J. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition, Sleep, Physical Activity, and Mood Disorders of Polish Children. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15081928. [PMID: 37111147 PMCID: PMC10146110 DOI: 10.3390/nu15081928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The harmful consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on children are its impact on eating habits, physical activity, sleep, and mood disorders. In the future, this may result in a higher prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's eating behavior and lifestyle. The study was conducted using a proprietary questionnaire on dietary and lifestyle habits before and during the pandemic, and the reasons for changes due to the pandemic. The study involved 294 parents of children in grades 1-8 in elementary schools in two regions of Poland. The survey showed that during the pandemic, the percentage of children eating five regular meals daily, including fruits and vegetables, and engaging in daily physical activity decreased. However, the percentage of children spending more than 4 h a day in front of a screen increased (p < 0.05). The main reasons for changes in eating habits and physical activity were less eating out, lack of motivation, obstruction, and lack of access to sports facilities (p < 0.05). The pandemic had a significant impact on reduced levels of physical activity and increased time spent in front of a screen. In summary, among the reasons for changes in children's dietary and lifestyle habits, factors related to the pandemic itself, i.e., social restrictions, restrictions, closure of schools and other facilities, and fear of coronavirus infection, had the greatest impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Krupa-Kotara
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Gabriela Wojtas
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Mateusz Grajek
- Department of Public Health, Department of Public Health Policy, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Martina Grot
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Mateusz Rozmiarek
- Department of Sports Tourism, Faculty of Physical Culture Sciences, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznan, Poland
| | - Agata Wypych-Ślusarska
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Klaudia Oleksiuk
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Joanna Głogowska-Ligus
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Jerzy Słowiński
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
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De Nocker L, Liekens I, Beckx C, Broekx S. Valuation of health benefits of green-blue areas for the purpose of ecosystem accounting: a pilot in Flanders, Belgium. ONE ECOSYSTEM 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/oneeco.8.e87713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, a vast amount of scientific literature has highlighted the benefits of nearby green space for physical and mental health, but the large variation in scope, methods and indicators used in these studies hampers the assessment of these benefits in the context of natural capital accounting. To our knowledge, this paper is one of the first studies to quantify and value these benefits in the context of natural capital accounting. A method was developed and applied to the Flemish Region in Belgium for 2013 and 2016.
The physical supply and use accounts for health are based on a set of selected dose-effect relationships that quantify the impact of the availability of greenspace on seven specific indicators for physical and mental health, including mortality, cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes and depression. The indicator for green-blue areas is the percentage of green-blue areas in total land use, calculated for 0.5, 1 and 3 km radius from the residence, based on detailed land-use maps (10 m x 10 m) for Flanders, Belgium. The base-line data for mortality and illness are average data for the Flemish Region. These health impacts are weighted using Daly's (disability-adjusted life years) and aggregated. The total health benefits due to the availability of green-blue areas for the total Flemish population was estimated at almost 85,000 DALYs. This is 27% of the estimated total burden of disease in Flanders in 2016 for the seven selected diseases.
The monetary accounts are based on a detailed assessment for mortality and morbidity of three different cost components, i.e. avoided medical costs (e.g. hospitalisation) and avoided absenteeism and welfare loss due to suffering and reduced life expectancy. Productivity gains from avoided absenteeism is valued, based on statistics on absenteeism for specific diseases for and labour market data from Belgium and account for 52% of the total monetary value of green spaces. Cost of illness is valued, based on market data and illness specific studies for Belgium or Europe and account for 36% of total values. Welfare gains from increased life expectancy are valued on the basis of European studies for the VOLY (value of a life year lost), based on the simulated exchange value for the willingness-to-pay for increased life expectancy. This accounts for 12% of the total monetary value of green space. The total monetary benefits amount to 464 Euro per inhabitant per year or 3 billion Euro per year for Flanders. This corresponds to 1.3% of the GDP, which reflects the importance of these benefits.
The methodology is incomplete as not all health indicators are covered, mainly due to a lack of dose-effect relationships. The research priority for potential users of the accounts is a better indicator for contact with green space that does differentiate between ecosystems, their quality, accessibility or their use. This requires more systematic health impact studies that take these elements into account, as well as more systematic data on the daily use of green space by citizens. In the meantime, an additional set of condition accounts on these elements can be used, especially to follow changes in quality and use of green-blue areas over time.
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Psychological Benefits of Attending Forest School for Preschool Children: a Systematic Review. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10648-023-09750-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
AbstractForest school is a form of outdoor learning that takes children into regular and repeated learning experiences in natural settings. Being based on a comprehensive experience with nature, it is assumed to be beneficial for learning and to promote restorative effects on cognitive and emotional function in preschool children. This review aimed to examine the available evidence on the benefits of forest school compared to indoor school activities in children aged 3 to 6 years. We searched for studies on forest school for preschool children in PsycInfo, JSTOR, and Scopus, with no restriction on publication year. The risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs’s criteria for quasi-experimental design. Of the 190 articles identified, 16 studies were reviewed (N = 1560). Higher benefits were found in children attending forest school compared to those attending indoor school in various areas of child development: cognitive function, motor coordination and balance, connectedness to nature, and health and well-being outcomes. There is, however, still a shortage of empirical evidence, and the methodological quality of most studies was limited. The literature on forest schools for preschool children in general supports positive effects in a wide range of variables that promote child health and development, but more evidence is needed to assess their effectiveness. Due to the methodological weaknesses of the reviewed studies, one should interpret their findings with caution.
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Protocol for the Open Sky School: a two-arm clustered randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a nature-based intervention on mental health of elementary school children. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:236. [PMID: 36737725 PMCID: PMC9896439 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15033-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This article outlines the protocol for a trial to test the effectiveness of a nature-based intervention called Open Sky School to reduce mental health problems among elementary school children. Experimental studies show that contact with nature (e.g. walks in parks) improve mental health. A growing number of teachers have been applying outdoor education within the regular school curriculum and evidence suggests that such teaching methods could improve students' mental health but a randomized controlled trial has never been conducted. METHODS A two-arm clustered randomized controlled trial will be conducted in elementary schools across Québec, Canada. Following informed consent by teachers, parents and students, schools will be randomly assigned 1:1 to the intervention or the control group with a total of 2500 5-6th grade students and 100 teachers expected to participate. The intervention will take place outdoors in a green-space (2 h per week for 12 weeks) and include a toolkit of 30 activities to foster well-being (e.g. mindfulness) and academic competencies (e.g. mathematics). Questionnaires will be administered to teachers and students before, immediately after and 3 months after the intervention. The primary outcome will be reductions of mental health problems in children from pre-to-post test (Social Behavior Questionnaire: self and teacher reports). Secondary outcomes include depression, positive and negative affect, nature connectedness, and pro-environmental behaviors among children. We will explore, immediate benefits on teacher's well-being and positive and negative affect and sustained benefits among students at 3 months follow-up. For the primary outcome, we will explore moderators including child's sex, child's disability status, the green-space of neighbourhoods, the school's socio-economic position and teacher's experience. DISCUSSION In conducting the first randomized controlled trial of the Open Sky School, our results could provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of nature-based interventions in reducing mental health problems among elementary school children. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05662436 on December 22, 2022.
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Lau SSS, Leung SSK, Wong JWC, Lee TCP, Cartwright SR, Wong JTC, Man J, Cheung E, Choi RPW. Brief repeated virtual nature contact for three weeks boosts university students' nature connectedness and psychological and physiological health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1057020. [PMID: 36711407 PMCID: PMC9878182 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1057020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated uncertainties and restrictions have adverse impacts on university students' mental wellbeing. Evidence shows that virtual nature contact has mental health benefits. However, little is known about the potential beneficial health impacts of virtual nature contact during times of social distancing, when access to the natural environment is restricted. This pilot study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a 3-week virtual nature contact in improving nature connectedness and reducing psychophysiological stress. A sample of 56 university students in Hong Kong was randomly assigned to control and nature interventions using 2-D video played for 15 min three times a week for 3 weeks. Nature connectedness, perceived restorativeness and psycho-physiological wellbeing were measured. Our findings show significant changes in psychological stress levels after nature interventions compared with the baseline, including increased happiness and stronger emotions of comfort and relaxation. When compared with the control group, the results show the nature intervention group has significantly higher levels of nature connectedness, happiness, and positive affect, but no significant effects on other psychological and physiological variables (e.g., cardiovascular responses). Our preliminary findings highlight the potential use of virtual nature contacts in bolstering university students' wellbeing at times of pandemic or when in-person visit to the natural environment is not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam S. S. Lau
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,College of International Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,Multidisciplinary Research Centre, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,Institute of Bioresources and Agriculture, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,*Correspondence: Sam S. S. Lau ✉
| | - Sharron S. K. Leung
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,Division of Nursing Education, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jonathan W. C. Wong
- Institute of Bioresources and Agriculture, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Terence C. P. Lee
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,College of International Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stephen R. Cartwright
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,College of International Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Janet T. C. Wong
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jackie Man
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,Multidisciplinary Research Centre, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ethan Cheung
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,Multidisciplinary Research Centre, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Regene P. W. Choi
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Zucca C, McCrorie P, Johnstone A, Chambers S, Chng NR, Traynor O, Martin A. Outdoor nature-based play in early learning and childcare centres: Identifying the determinants of implementation using causal loop diagrams and social network analysis. Health Place 2023; 79:102955. [PMID: 36565541 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nature-based play benefits children's health and development. However, the delivery of this in early learning and childcare centres (ELC) is extremely diverse, and implementation is not well understood. We applied a systems science perspective to understand the factors crucial to implementing nature-based outdoor play in ELC settings. Through Group Model Building workshops with 20 participants in managerial and practitioner roles, crucial factors were appraised using Causal Loops Diagrams. Twelve thematic causal loops emerged. Network analysis was employed to analyse the diagram. Exponential Random graph models explained the diagram construction process. Centrality measures alongside conditional uniform tests identified six leverage factors: use of outdoor space, culture of being outdoors, ELC culture of outdoor play, perceived child safety and enjoyment, educator confidence and educator agency. This research brings novel and practically relevant evidence about the important factors, and interdependencies, involved in the implementation of outdoor play practice within ELC settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Zucca
- Jheronimus Academy of Data Science, Tilburg University, Sint Janssingel 92, 5211, DA 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
| | - Paul McCrorie
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 99 Berkley Street, Glasgow, G37HR, UK
| | - Avril Johnstone
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 99 Berkley Street, Glasgow, G37HR, UK
| | - Stephanie Chambers
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 99 Berkley Street, Glasgow, G37HR, UK; School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Adam Smith Building, 28 Bute Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8RS, UK
| | - Nai Rui Chng
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 99 Berkley Street, Glasgow, G37HR, UK
| | - Oliver Traynor
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 99 Berkley Street, Glasgow, G37HR, UK
| | - Anne Martin
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 99 Berkley Street, Glasgow, G37HR, UK.
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Wray A, Martin G, Doherty S, Gilliland J. Analyzing differences between spatial exposure estimation methods: A case study of outdoor food and beverage advertising in London, Canada. Health Place 2023; 79:102641. [PMID: 34344617 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Exposure assessment in the context of mobility-oriented health research often is challenged by the type of spatial measurement technique used to estimate exposures to environmental features. The purpose of this study is to compare smartphone global positioning system (GPS), shortest network path mobility, and buffer-based approaches in estimating exposure to outdoor food and beverage advertising among a sample of 154 teenagers involved in the SmartAPPetite study during 2018 in London, Ontario, Canada. Participants were asked to report their home postal code, age, gender identity, ethnicity, and number of purchases they had made at a retail food outlet in the past month. During the same time period, a mobile phone application was used to log their mobility and specifically record when a participant was in close proximity to outdoor advertising. The results of negative binomial regression modelling reveal significant differences in estimates of advertising exposure, and the relationship to self-reported purchasing. Spatial exposure estimation methods showed differences across regression models, with the buffer and observed GPS approaches delivering the best fitting models, depending on the type of retail food outlet. There is a clear need for more robust research of spatial exposure measurement techniques in the context of mobility and food (information) environment research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wray
- Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Lab, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Gina Martin
- Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, Alberta, T9S 3A3, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Lab, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Sean Doherty
- Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Lab, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Jason Gilliland
- Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Health Studies, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Lab, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada.
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Martin A, Clarke J, Johnstone A, McCrorie P, Langford R, Simpson SA, Kipping R. A qualitative study of parental strategies to enable pre-school children's outdoor and nature experiences during COVID-19 restrictions. Health Place 2023; 79:102967. [PMID: 36621065 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.102967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Outdoor and nature experiences including play have been shown to be beneficial for children's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Parents/carers play an important role in encouraging or impeding their child's access to the outdoor environment and participation in outdoor play. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on free movement and social interactions placed an unprecedented pressure on families to manage the drastic change in their daily routines. This paper reports findings from two combined data sets generated in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides a deeper understanding of the interconnected nature of how contextual factors influence parenting processes and outcomes relating to young children's outdoor and nature experiences and subsequent child health. Findings have the potential to inform the messaging of existing outdoor play policies and the content of new interventions aiming to promote the exposure of children to the natural outdoor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Martin
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute for Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 99 Barkley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HR, UK.
| | - Joanne Clarke
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Avril Johnstone
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute for Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 99 Barkley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HR, UK
| | - Paul McCrorie
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute for Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 99 Barkley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HR, UK
| | - Rebecca Langford
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Sharon Anne Simpson
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute for Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 99 Barkley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HR, UK
| | - Ruth Kipping
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
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Montreuil M, Gendron‐Cloutier L, Laberge‐Perrault E, Piché G, Genest C, Rassy J, Malboeuf‐Hurtubise C, Gilbert E, Bogossian A, Camden C, Mastine T, Barbo G. Children and adolescents' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study of their experiences. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING 2022; 36:65-74. [PMID: 36566357 PMCID: PMC9880751 DOI: 10.1111/jcap.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
TOPIC Public health measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted children and adolescents' (C&A) lives, affecting their sense of structure, predictability, and security. PURPOSE To examine C&A' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand how this context and its associated public health measures affected them and their mental health, and to identify helpful coping strategies. SOURCES USED The study was guided by a participatory hermeneutic framework. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 C&A aged 6-17 years during the first and second pandemic waves. Participants' interviews were analyzed following a narrative synthesis approach, through which C&A' experiences were contrasted and contextualized to highlight relevant themes. CONCLUSIONS Participants described a distinct pattern related to their mental health as the pandemic unfolded, which followed the severity of the pandemic in the province. Negative repercussions on their mental health were linked to the loss of social activities, imposed public health measures, transition to online learning, and challenges with family relationships. Certain youth shared positive societal and moral reflections triggered by the pandemic context. Coping strategies reported include: having a variety of hobbies; expressing their emotions; and accessing financial and material resources. This study highlights the importance of supporting C&A' mental health during crisis situations such as a pandemic. Their perspectives are vital for clinical practice and policy improvement, particularly to find means for social engagement while maintaining safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie Montreuil
- Ingram School of NursingMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada,Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de MontréalMontréalQuebecCanada,Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale DouglasMontréalQuebecCanada
| | | | | | - Geneviève Piché
- Université du Québec en Outaouais, Campus de Saint‐JérômeGatineauQuebecCanada
| | - Christine Genest
- Centre d'étude sur le trauma du Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal et le Centre de recherche et d'intervention sur le suicide, les enjeux éthiques et pratiques de fin de vie, Faculté des sciences infirmièresUniversité de MontréalMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Jessica Rassy
- École des sciences infirmièresUniversité de Sherbrooke, Campus de LongueuilLongueuilQuebecCanada
| | | | - Elsa Gilbert
- Département des sciences de la santéUniversité du Québec à RimouskiRimouskiQuebecCanada
| | - Aline Bogossian
- École de travail socialUniversité de MontréalMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Chantal Camden
- School of Physical and Occupational TherapySherbrooke UniversitySherbrookeQuebecCanada
| | | | - Geneveave Barbo
- Ingram School of NursingMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
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van Oordt M, Ouwehand K, Paas F. Restorative Effects of Observing Natural and Urban Scenery after Working Memory Depletion. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:188. [PMID: 36612512 PMCID: PMC9819488 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
According to attention restoration theory observing nature has restorative effects on cognitive components, such as working memory, after a cognitive depleting task. Additionally, urban environments are thought to have no effect or even a negative effect on cognitive restoration. Previous research has confirmed that observing actual, as well as digitally presented nature sceneries leads to more restoration of working memory capacity (WMC) than observing (digital) urban sceneries. To further investigate these findings, we conducted an experiment with 72 university students as participants. After a WMC depleting task, participants observed either digitally presented nature scenery, urban scenery or no scenery, and subsequently performed a digit span test, which was used to measure restoration of WMC. Results indicated significant higher performance on the digit span test for those who observed nature scenery in comparison to those who observed urban scenery or no scenery, thereby replicating results from previous research. Observing urban scenery was neither harmful nor helpful in terms of cognitive restoration compared to observing no scenery. These findings provide a foundation for implementing a brief intervention of observing nature in academic settings to facilitate the restoration of WMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menno van Oordt
- Department of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Ouwehand
- Department of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fred Paas
- Department of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- School of Education/Early Start, University of Wollongong, Keiraville, NSW 2522, Australia
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Boudier A, Markevych I, Jacquemin B, Abramson MJ, Accordini S, Forsberg B, Fuertes E, Garcia-Aymerich J, Heinrich J, Johannessen A, Leynaert B, Pin I, Siroux V. Long-term air pollution exposure, greenspace and health-related quality of life in the ECRHS study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 849:157693. [PMID: 35907524 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations of long-term exposure to air pollution and greenspace with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are poorly studied and few studies have accounted for asthma-rhinitis status. OBJECTIVE To assess the associations of air pollution and greenspace with HRQOL and whether asthma and/or rhinitis modify these associations. METHODS The study was based on the participants in the second (2000-2002, n = 6542) and third (2011-2013, n = 3686) waves of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) including 19 centres. The mean follow-up time was 11.3 years. HRQOL was assessed by the SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary scores (PCS and MCS). NO2, PM2.5 and PM10 annual concentrations were estimated at the residential address from existing land-use regression models. Greenspace around the residential address was estimated by the (i) mean of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and by the (ii) presence of green spaces within a 300 m buffer. Associations of each exposure variable with PCS and MCS were assessed by mixed linear regression models, accounting for the multicentre design and repeated data, and adjusting for potential confounders. Analyses were stratified by asthma-rhinitis status. RESULTS The mean (SD) age of the ECRHS-II and III participants was 43 (7.1) and 54 (7.2) years, respectively, and 48 % were men. Higher NO2, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were associated with lower MCS (regression coefficients [95%CI] for one unit increase in the inter-quartile range of exposures were -0.69 [-1.23; -0.15], -1.79 [-2.88; -0.70], -1.80 [-2.98; -0.62] respectively). Higher NDVI and presence of forests were associated with higher MCS. No consistent associations were observed for PCS. Similar association patterns were observed regardless of asthma-rhinitis status. CONCLUSION European adults who resided at places with higher air pollution and lower greenspace were more likely to have lower mental component of HRQOL. Asthma or rhinitis status did not modify these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Boudier
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to the Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France; Pediatrics, CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bénédicte Jacquemin
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Michael J Abramson
- School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simone Accordini
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Bertil Forsberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Elaine Fuertes
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Judith Garcia-Aymerich
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Joachim Heinrich
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany
| | - Ane Johannessen
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Isabelle Pin
- Pediatrics, CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Valérie Siroux
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to the Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France.
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Dai D, Bo M, Zhou Y. How Do the Young Perceive Urban Parks? A Study on Young Adults' Landscape Preferences and Health Benefits in Urban Parks Based on the Landscape Perception Model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14736. [PMID: 36429455 PMCID: PMC9690035 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Youth's physical and mental health is of increasing concern today. However, gaining a more comprehensive knowledge of young people's landscape preferences for urban parks is challenging. Additionally, young adults' voices (aged from 20 to 24) are often neglected. (2) Methods: This study collected 349 interview questionnaires from 2014 to 2020 and recorded them into Nvivo10. Firstly, the study did a thematic analysis using the preliminary coding framework based on the landscape perception model to code the interview data and statistics on the frequencies of each theme and code. Then, we used diffractive analysis to interpret original materials to comprehend the underlying significance. (3) Results: Our research showed that young adults' landscape perceptions are richer in diversity and express more subjective feelings. Their landscape preferences are also related to behavioral activities in addition to environmental features, which have some differences from teenagers. (4) Conclusions: It is helpful to attract more young adults by creating sound and smell landscapes, accommodating more dynamic sports and recreation facilities, and controlling unhygienic and noise problems, which can offer better design, planning, and management for creating inclusive urban parks. The landscape perception model developed in this paper can also provide a reference for related studies in the future.
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50
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Owen C, Crane J. Trauma-Informed Design of Supported Housing: A Scoping Review through the Lens of Neuroscience. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14279. [PMID: 36361166 PMCID: PMC9658651 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
There is growing recognition of the importance of the design of the built environment in supporting mental health. In this context, trauma-informed design has emerged as a new field of practice targeting the design of the built environment to support wellbeing and ameliorate the physical, psychological and emotional impacts of trauma and related pathologies such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With high levels of prevalence of PTSD among people escaping homelessness and domestic violence, a priority area is the identification and application of evidence-based design solutions for trauma-informed supported housing. This study sought to examine the scope of existing evidence on the relationship between trauma, housing and design and the correlation of this evidence with trauma-informed design principles, and to identify gaps and opportunities for future research. In response to the commonly articulated limitations of the evidence-base in built environment design research, we combined a scoping review of literature on trauma, housing and design with insights from neuroscience to focus and extend understanding of the opportunities of trauma-informed design. We found that while limited in scope, there is strong alignment between existing evidence and the principles of trauma-informed design. We also identify three areas of future research related to the key domains of safety and security; control; and enriched environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceridwen Owen
- School of Architecture and Design, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia
| | - James Crane
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
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