Highlights
- •Regular access to green space has mental health benefits for children.
- •Barriers exist to accessing nature for children.
- •Exploring benefits and barriers to green space access can guide health policy.
Abstract
Problem
An increasing body of research is showing associations between green space and overall
health. Children are spending more time indoors while pediatric mental and behavioral
health problems are increasing. A systematic review of the literature was done to
examine the association between access to green space and the mental well-being of
children.
Eligibility Criteria
Articles were limited to English language, ages 0–18 years, and publish date 2012–2017.
Sample
The search yielded 341 articles in Ovid, 81 in Pub Med and 123 in Scopus. Articles
that were not original research and that were not a pediatric population were excluded.
Twelve articles fit the selection criteria.
Results
Twelve articles relating to green space and the mental well-being of children were
reviewed. Three articles outside the date criteria were included as they are cited
often in the literature as important early research on this topic.
Conclusions
Access to green space was associated with improved mental well-being, overall health
and cognitive development of children. It promotes attention restoration, memory,
competence, supportive social groups, self-discipline, moderates stress, improves
behaviors and symptoms of ADHD and was even associated with higher standardized test
scores.
Implications
Scientific evidence demonstrating the mental health benefits of access to nature for
children can guide policy and urban planning, while nursing interventions and initiatives
can enhance health by promoting outdoor play, educating patients and families, advocating
for recess times and green environments at school as well as healing gardens in hospital
settings.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 04, 2017
Accepted:
August 21,
2017
Received in revised form:
August 8,
2017
Received:
April 14,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
