Study Links Green Space in Childhood to Better Mental Health

Research Overview

A recent study conducted in Denmark reveals that children raised in green environments may experience a lower risk of developing various mental disorders in adulthood. Researchers aimed to determine the relationship between childhood exposure to green space and enhanced mental health in later life. Utilizing satellite data, they measured the amount of green space individuals encountered from birth until age ten. The study analyzed data from over 900,000 Danish individuals, covering the years from 1985 to 2013.

Key Findings

The findings indicate that high levels of green space during childhood correlate with improved mental health outcomes in adulthood. Specifically, individuals who grew up with the least amount of green space faced a risk of mental illness that was up to 55% higher compared to those who were surrounded by ample green areas. This association remained significant even after controlling for urbanization, socioeconomic factors, parental history of mental illness, and parental age.

Mental Health Disorders Defined

The study categorized mental health disorders, noting that substance abuse disorders, specific personality disorders, borderline personality disorder, and risks related to intellectual disabilities were primarily linked to parents’ socioeconomic status. Conversely, mood disorders, including single and recurrent depressive disorders, as well as neurotic, stress-related, and somatic disorders, were also examined. Interestingly, there was no consistent evidence suggesting that the presence of green space was linked to any specific age that is particularly sensitive across all disorders. The results were published in the journal PNAS.

Importance of Cumulative Green Space

The research emphasized that cumulative exposure to green space throughout childhood has a stronger correlation with better mental health compared to exposure in a single year. This highlights the importance of sustained green space access during formative years.

Considerations and Limitations

The researchers acknowledged that the choice of residential location may be influenced by genetic factors. For instance, previous studies have shown that individuals with schizophrenia tend to reside in denser urban settings, while other studies did not find such a correlation. This suggests that gene-environment interactions could play a role in mental health outcomes.

Additionally, the study noted potential selection bias, as families with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to relocate to greener areas due to financial capability. The researchers also pointed out that they did not account for factors such as the quality of green spaces, crime rates, and social disadvantages prevalent in less affluent neighborhoods.

Implications for Urban Planning

Given the evident link between green space in childhood and improved mental health, the study advocates for initiatives aimed at integrating natural environments into urban planning and childhood experiences. As urban populations grow and the incidence of mental health disorders rises, there is a pressing need to increase opportunities for children to engage with green spaces. The researchers emphasize the importance of sustainable urban planning that prioritizes high exposure to green space during childhood to foster better mental health outcomes.

Author and Reference

Written by: Tatsiana Verstak, M.S., B.S.
Reference: Engemann, K et al. Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood. PNAS published ahead of print February 25, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1807504116