Trombley J. Fine particulate matter exposure and pediatric mental health outcomes: An integrative review.
J Nurs Scholarsh 2023;
55:977-1007. [PMID:
36941765 DOI:
10.1111/jnu.12888]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Climate change is expected to worsen air pollution globally, which contributes to a multitude of negative health outcomes in humans.
AIM
The purpose of this integrative review is to examine the relationship between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents.
METHODS
This review utilized Whittemore and Knafl's methodology for conducting an integrative review. After a thorough search of the literature, 17 articles were selected for this review and evaluated utilizing the Johns Hopkins Evidence Based Practice Appraisal Tool.
RESULTS
Of the 17 articles, all were quantitative observational study designs. The studies were then synthesized into four outcome themes. These themes included emergent and general psychiatric outcomes, neurodevelopmental disorders, stress and anxiety, and depression.
DISCUSSION
The strongest evidence supports a possible correlation between PM2.5 exposure and adolescent mental health outcomes, although there were some studies that contradicted these associations. While research on this topic is in its early stages, more needs to be conducted to determine causality with any of the associations presented to improve generalizability of the findings.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Nurses must be aware of and part of the solution to address climate change and resulting air pollution, as it is a potentially significant threat to children's mental health in the 21st century.
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