Exposure to green space—especially at school—reduces a range of problem behaviors in childhoodResearch has linked exposure to green space with better cognitive and mental health. However, only a small number of studies have investigated links between green space exposure and behavioral problems in children. Further, those few studies focused narrowly on a specific behavioral syndrome, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The current study investigated associations between green space exposure and children’s problem behaviors to determine if green space interventions could prevent children from developing behavioral problems.
This cross-sectional study collected quantitative data to measure correlations between indicators of green space exposure and indicators of behavioral problems in 6039 Chinese children age 5 and 6. Children’s exposure to green space was measured by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) scores for a 100-meter radius around their school and home addresses. Parents also completed a 113-item Child Behavior Checklist to assess children for 13 behavioral problems: social withdrawal, anxiety and depression, immature behavior, somatic complaints, sexual problems, splitting behavior, aggressive behavior, delinquent behavior, obesity, hyperactivity and attention deficit, social problems, obsessive behavior, and cruel behavior. Grouping children by green space scores and behavior sub-scores, the researchers calculated correlations between green space exposure and behavioral problems as well as demographic variables, including sex, maternal data, and birth outcomes.
Overall, higher green space exposure was associated with lower behavior problem scores. However, the benefits were not as strong for exposure to nature at home compared to school or both home and school combined. More green space around the home was only associated with less splitting behavior and cruel behavior. In contrast, higher exposure to green space at school was associated with fewer total behavior problems and lower incidence of anxiety and depression, aggressive behavior, hyperactivity and attention deficit, social problems, and obsessive behavior. When home and school NDVI values were combined, increased exposure to green space was associated with decreased scores for total behavior problems, anxiety and depression, somatic complaints, splitting behavior, aggressive behavior, hyperactivity and attention deficit, social problems, obsessive behavior, and cruel behavior. When demographic data were added, the strength of several associations was stronger for boys than girls.
Overall, this study’s statistical results suggest that exposure to green space is associated with decreased severity of a range of problem behaviors in childhood. Residential green space is beneficial; however, the amount of green space within 100 meters of schools appears to be a stronger influence on children’s behavioral development. Thus, improving the quality of green space—particularly around schools—may be an evidence-based intervention to improve behavioral outcomes for younger children. The gender effect documented in the study also suggests that boys may benefit more than girls from increased exposure to green space at school. In particular, boys who attended schools with more surrounding green space displayed less aggressive behavior, less splitting behavior, and lower hyperactivity and attention deficit scores. This study does not explain how exposure to green space leads to healthier patterns of behavioral development. However, it does provide empirical evidence that green space exposure may reduce behavior problems, such as anxiety and depression, aggressive behaviors, and hyperactivity and attention problems in young children.
The Bottom Line