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Children and Nature: Linking Accessibility of Natural Environments and Children’s Health-Related Quality of Life

Author

Listed:
  • Suzanne Tillmann

    (Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada)

  • Andrew F. Clark

    (Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada)

  • Jason A. Gilliland

    (Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    School of Health Studies, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada)

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that increasing children’s nature interactions can have positive benefits for their health-related quality of life (HRQOL); however, researchers have yet to examine how geographical context influences this relationship. The purpose of this study was to examine individual-level and environmental factors that are associated with HRQOL of children from different geographical contexts. Data were collected for 851 children from 34 elementary schools in Ontario, Canada. The natural environments around each child’s home were computed using geospatial analyses in a geographic information system. Natural environment measures were combined with HRQOL and the demographics from child surveys to be used in a series of step-wise linear regression models. These models explored the relationship between children’s HRQOL and the natural environment in urban/suburban and rural populations. In addition to important individual-level determinants, the findings revealed that characteristics of the natural environment, including the amount of greenness, park, and water, show significant relationships in the urban/suburban population. Interpersonal variables were the key predictors of HRQOL in the rural population. Where children live influences relationships between nature and HRQOL. These findings have implications for policymakers, health practitioners, educators, and parents in the design and the promotion of nature for children’s HRQOL.

Suggested Citation

  • Suzanne Tillmann & Andrew F. Clark & Jason A. Gilliland, 2018. "Children and Nature: Linking Accessibility of Natural Environments and Children’s Health-Related Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1072-:d:148905
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Ana Rodrigues & Hélio Antunes & Ricardo Alves & Ana Luísa Correia & Helder Lopes & Bebiana Sabino & Adilson Marques & Andreas Ihle & Élvio Rúbio Gouveia, 2022. "Association between the Duration of the Active Commuting to and from School, and Cognitive Performance in Urban Portuguese Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-10, November.
    3. Shengchen Yin & Dena Kasraian & Pieter van Wesemael, 2022. "Children and Urban Green Infrastructure in the Digital Age: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Tona M. Pitt & Janet Aucoin & Tate HubkaRao & Suzanne Goopy & Jason Cabaj & Brent Hagel & Gavin R. McCormack, 2021. "The Relationship of Urban Form on Children and Adolescent Health Outcomes: A Scoping Review of Canadian Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-12, April.
    5. Sebastian A. Srugo & Margaret de Groh & Ying Jiang & Howard I. Morrison & Hayley A. Hamilton & Paul J. Villeneuve, 2019. "Assessing the Impact of School-Based Greenness on Mental Health Among Adolescent Students in Ontario, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-12, November.
    6. 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.

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