The role of public and private natural space in children's social, emotional and behavioural development in Scotland: A longitudinal study

Elizabeth A Richardson,Jamie Pearce,Niamh K Shortt,Richard Mitchell

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2017.07.038

Elizabeth A Richardson, Jamie Pearce + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.07.038

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Abstract

IntroductionPoor mental health in childhood has implications for health and wellbeing in later life. Natural space may benefit children's social, emotional and behavioural development. We investigated whether neighbourhood natural space and private garden access were related to children's developmental change over time. We asked whether relationships differed between boys and girls, or by household educational status. MethodsWe analysed longitudinal data for 2909 urban-dwelling children (aged 4 at 2008/9 baseline) from the Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) survey. The survey provided social, emotional and behavioural difficulty scores (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)), and private garden access. Area (%) of total natural space and parks within 500m of the child's home was quantified using Scotland's Greenspace Map. Interactions for park area, total natural space area, and private garden access with age and age2 were modelled to quantify their independent contributions to SDQ score change over time. ResultsPrivate garden access was strongly related to most SDQ domains, while neighbourhood natural space was related to better social outcomes. We found little evidence that neighbourhood natural space or garden access influenced the trajectory of developmental change between 4 and 6 years, suggesting that any beneficial influences had occurred at younger ages. Stratified models showed the importance of parks for boys, and private gardens for the early development of children from low-education households. ConclusionWe conclude that neighbourhood natural space may reduce social, emotional and behavioural difficulties for 4–6 year olds, although private garden access may be most beneficial.

Highlights

Poor mental health in childhood has implications for health and wellbeing in later life
We present model coefficients for an interquartile range (IQR) increase in each type: 16.2% points for total natural space and 6.8 for public parks
The results suggest the importance of garden access for social, emotional and behavioural development of children from higher educational status households becomes apparent at a later stage

Summary

Introduction

Poor mental health in childhood has implications for health and wellbeing in later life. We investigated whether neighbourhood natural space and private garden access were related to children's developmental change over time. Conclusion: We conclude that neighbourhood natural space may reduce social, emotional and behavioural difficulties for 4–6 year olds, private garden access may be most beneficial. Poor mental health in childhood has implications for health and wellbeing in later life, and presents a considerable burden for families and wider society. Recent decades have seen substantial increases in the prevalence of childhood social, emotional, and behavioural problems (Layard and Dunn, 2009). To address this upward trend, and the consequent growing societal burden and in the future, it is imperative to identify the determinants of these childhood problems. Environmental influences – including noise (Forns et al, 2015), air pollution (Forns et al, 2015), and a lack of contact with natural space (Amoly et al, 2014) – have been identified as possible risk factors for poor mental health in childhood

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