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The Association between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Yijun Zhang

    (School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Suzanne Mavoa

    (Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia)

  • Jinfeng Zhao

    (School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Deborah Raphael

    (School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Melody Smith

    (School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

Abstract

This systematic review summarised and evaluated the evidence for associations between green space and adolescents’ mental well-being. The PRISMA statement guidelines were followed for reporting systematic reviews. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Synthesis suggests beneficial associations between green space exposure and reduced stress, positive mood, less depressive symptoms, better emotional well-being, improved mental health and behaviour, and decreased psychological distress in adolescents. Several studies found the relationship varied by demographic and socio-economic factors. The limited number of studies and the risk of bias were the main limitations, together with heterogeneity regarding green space and mental well-being assessments. Overall, this review highlights the potential contribution of green space in schoolyards. Improving the availability, accessibility and quality of green space is likely to generate positive impacts on adolescents’ mental well-being. More consistent evidence on the use of different types of green space and perceptions of features are needed in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Yijun Zhang & Suzanne Mavoa & Jinfeng Zhao & Deborah Raphael & Melody Smith, 2020. "The Association between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6640-:d:412351
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    10. Peter Wallner & Michael Kundi & Arne Arnberger & Renate Eder & Brigitte Allex & Lisbeth Weitensfelder & Hans-Peter Hutter, 2018. "Reloading Pupils’ Batteries: Impact of Green Spaces on Cognition and Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, June.
    11. Claudia Fongar & Geir Aamodt & Thomas B. Randrup & Ingjerd Solfjeld, 2019. "Does Perceived Green Space Quality Matter? Linking Norwegian Adult Perspectives on Perceived Quality to Motivation and Frequency of Visits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, July.
    12. Yang Zhang & Agnes E. Van den Berg & Terry Van Dijk & Gerd Weitkamp, 2017. "Quality over Quantity: Contribution of Urban Green Space to Neighborhood Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-10, May.
    13. Matthew Browning & Kangjae Lee, 2017. "Within What Distance Does “Greenness” Best Predict Physical Health? A Systematic Review of Articles with GIS Buffer Analyses across the Lifespan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, June.
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    Cited by:

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    6. Wendy Ellyatt, 2022. "Education for Human Flourishing—A New Conceptual Framework for Promoting Ecosystemic Wellbeing in Schools," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-23, November.
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    9. Ao Wang & Ziran Meng & Bing Zhao & Fan Zhang, 2024. "Using Social Media Data to Research the Impact of Campus Green Spaces on Students’ Emotions: A Case Study of Nanjing Campuses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-16, January.
    10. Martine Shareck & Eliana Aubé & Stephanie Sersli, 2023. "Neighborhood Physical and Social Environments and Social Inequalities in Health in Older Adolescents and Young Adults: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-20, April.
    11. Dan Li & Haiyun Xu & Yue Kang & Koen Steemers, 2023. "Systematic Review: Landscape Characteristics Correlated with Physical Activity of the Elderly People," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-18, March.
    12. Kaili Chen & Tianzheng Zhang & Fangyuan Liu & Yingjie Zhang & Yan Song, 2021. "How Does Urban Green Space Impact Residents’ Mental Health: A Literature Review of Mediators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-27, November.
    13. Elisabetta Ricciardi & Giuseppina Spano & Luigi Tinella & Antonella Lopez & Carmine Clemente & Andrea Bosco & Alessandro Oronzo Caffò, 2023. "Perceived Social Support Mediates the Relationship between Use of Greenspace and Geriatric Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of South-Italian Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-11, April.
    14. Megan Rowley & Raluca Topciu & Matthew Owens, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Mechanisms Underpinning Psychological Change Following Nature Exposure in an Adolescent Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-22, October.
    15. Amber L. Pearson & Catherine D. Brown & Aaron Reuben & Natalie Nicholls & Karin A. Pfeiffer & Kimberly A. Clevenger, 2023. "Elementary Classroom Views of Nature Are Associated with Lower Child Externalizing Behavior Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-14, April.
    16. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks & Viniece Jennings & Alessandro Rigolon, 2021. "Green Gentrification and Health: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-23, January.
    17. Jooyoung Lee & Ki Han Kwon, 2023. "Promoting Sustainable Learning in the Post-Pandemic Era: Focused on the Role of Motivation, Growth Mindset, Self-Regulated Learning, Well-Being, and Smart Device Utilization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, September.

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