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Life Course Nature Exposure and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Future Directions

Author

Listed:
  • Dongying Li

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Tess Menotti

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Yizhen Ding

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Nancy M. Wells

    (Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

Abstract

Recently, an emerging body of literature has examined the relationships between early life nature exposure and mental health in later life; however, no critical synthesis yet exists regarding the extent and strength of these relationships. This study presents the first systematic review of studies in this growing area. Following the PRISMA framework, we searched six databases (i.e., Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL); conducted identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion analyses; and identified a final set of 29 articles. The review set comprises primarily longitudinal studies, with several cross-sectional studies using retrospective measures of childhood nature exposure. The majority of included studies were published between 2016 and 2020 and conducted in Europe and North America. Five domains of mental health outcomes are associated with early-life nature exposure: incidence of mental disorders, psychiatric symptoms and emotions, conduct problems in children, cognitive function, and subjective well-being. The evidence lends support to an overall beneficial role of early nature exposure on mental health, although inconsistencies are reported. Taken together, the evidence does not suggest that exposure at any given life stage is more saliently associated with mental health outcomes than at others. We discuss the validity concerns and methodological remedies and offer directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongying Li & Tess Menotti & Yizhen Ding & Nancy M. Wells, 2021. "Life Course Nature Exposure and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Future Directions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-28, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5146-:d:553442
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Nancy M. Wells & Nilda Graciela Cosco & Derek Hales & Muntazar Monsur & Robin C. Moore, 2023. "Gardening in Childcare Centers: A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of a Garden Intervention on Physical Activity among Children Aged 3–5 Years in North Carolina," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Kimberly A. Rollings & Christina S. Bollo, 2021. "Permanent Supportive Housing Design Characteristics Associated with the Mental Health of Formerly Homeless Adults in the U.S. and Canada: An Integrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-37, September.
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    5. Yonatal Tefera & Veronica Soebarto & Courtney Bishop & John Kandulu & Carmel Williams, 2023. "A Scoping Review of Urban Planning Decision Support Tools and Processes That Account for the Health, Environment, and Economic Benefits of Trees and Greenspace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-28, December.

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