Greater amounts of green space appear to have a positive impact on the mental well-being of adolescentsThis systematic review of the literature aimed to provide evidence for associations between green space and adolescents’ mental well-being. The review also aimed to evaluate the evidence in relation to the quality of the research and the consistency of results. While previous reviews have examined associations between green space and human physical and mental health, none have focused specifically on the effects of green space on the mental well-being of adolescents.
Studies included in this review assessed the mental well-being outcomes of adolescents (age 10–19) in one or more of the following areas: mood, stress, anxiety, depression, happiness, pleasure, emotional health, psychological health, and mental health. All of the studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals from January 2000 to January 2020. Data for this review was extracted from the fourteen articles meeting the inclusion criteria.
Ten of the 14 studies were cross-sectional; three, controlled experiments; and one, a longitudinal study. Five studies were conducted in the United States, two in the Netherlands, two in the United Kingdom, and one in each of the following countries: Canada, Germany, Austria, Australia, and New Zealand. Size of the study populations ranged from 60 to over 17,000 participants. Most of the studies focused on residential versus public green space. Approaches for assessing mental well-being and measuring green space varied widely. Findings varied widely, as well.
Over half of the studies (N=8) reported a significant positive relationship between green space exposure and adolescents’ mental well-being. Four studies reported non-significant results; two reported inconsistent results. This inconsistency was attributed to different green space and mental well-being outcome measures. The most consistent findings related to the association between green space exposure and mood and stress. Other findings showed that green space exposure was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, better emotional well-being, improved mental health and behavior, and decreased psychological distress in adolescents. While the evidence is scarce, there are some indications that physical activity, reduced air pollution, and social interaction can influence the relationship between green space and the mental well-being of adolescents. Other demographic and socio-economic factors may also influence the relationship. The researchers found no evidence of bias in reporting the results of studies included in this review.
The overall findings of this review indicate that “improving the availability, accessibility and quality of green space is likely to generate positive impacts on adolescents’ mental well-being.” In discussing the implications of these findings, the researchers highlight the potential contribution of green space in schoolyards for promoting mental well-being in adolescents. They also note how the evidence of an association between green space exposure and the mental well-being of adolescents is strong enough to warrant further research. They offer specific suggestions for future research, including suggestions relating to the size of greenspace buffers for nature exposure. Implications for design are also offered.
The Bottom Line