Parental evaluations of neighbourhood green and play spaces and children's mental health

Abstract

Geographical analyses of mental health problems have been undertaken since at least the 1930s, with such work preoccupied primarily with ecological correlations between the prevalence of mental illness and small-area variations in socioeconomic status. More recently, parks and other green spaces have emerged as place characteristics of interest for their possible public health significance, as they relate to both physical and mental health, including the psychosocial well-being of children. In this paper, I consider the relationships between parent-reported adequacy of neighbourhood play and green spaces and children's psychosocial well-being, as measured by parental assessments of their children's mental health, as well as scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, a psychometric instrument that is demonstrably effective in the identification of behavioural problems in children and adolescents. The findings reported here are consistent with the notion that access to natural spaces and opportunities to play are associated with a reduced risk for mental health problems. Specifically, risk reduction is suggested for overall behavioural functioning, as well as specific behavioural difficulties related to problems in peer relationships, hyperactivity, and emotional problems, as well as parent-assessed child mental health status.