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Benefit of woodland and other natural environments for adolescents’ cognition and mental health

Author

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  • Mikaël J. A. Maes

    (University College London
    University College London
    School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London
    School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London)

  • Monica Pirani

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London)

  • Elizabeth R. Booth

    (Birkbeck College)

  • Chen Shen

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London)

  • Ben Milligan

    (University College London
    University of New South Wales Law School, UNSW Sydney)

  • Kate E. Jones

    (University College London)

  • Mireille B. Toledano

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London
    School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London)

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have established positive associations of urban nature with cognitive development and mental health. However, why specifically these health benefits are received remains unclear, especially in adolescents. We used longitudinal data in a cohort of 3,568 adolescents aged 9 to 15 years at 31 schools across London, UK, to examine the associations between natural-environment types and adolescents’ cognitive development, mental health and overall well-being. We characterized natural-environment types in three tiers, where natural space was distinguished into green and blue space, and green space was further distinguished into woodland and grassland. We showed that, after adjusting for other confounding variables, higher daily exposure to woodland, but not grassland, was associated with higher scores for cognitive development and a lower risk of emotional and behavioural problems for adolescents. A similar but smaller effect was seen for green space, but not blue space, with higher scores for cognitive development. Our results suggest that urban planning decisions to optimize ecosystem benefits linked to cognitive development and mental health should carefully consider the type of natural environment included.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikaël J. A. Maes & Monica Pirani & Elizabeth R. Booth & Chen Shen & Ben Milligan & Kate E. Jones & Mireille B. Toledano, 2021. "Benefit of woodland and other natural environments for adolescents’ cognition and mental health," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(10), pages 851-858, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:10:d:10.1038_s41893-021-00751-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00751-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaojia Liu & Xi Chen & Yan Huang & Weihong Wang & Mingkan Zhang & Yang Jin, 2023. "Landscape Aesthetic Value of Waterfront Green Space Based on Space–Psychology–Behavior Dimension: A Case Study along Qiantang River (Hangzhou Section)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-22, February.
    2. Yung-Chia Hsueh & Rachel Batchelor & Margaux Liebmann & Ashley Dhanani & Laura Vaughan & Anne-Kathrin Fett & Farhana Mann & Alexandra Pitman, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Studies Describing the Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Potential Harms of Place-Based Interventions to Address Loneliness and Mental Health Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-29, April.
    3. Adriano Bressane & Rogério Galante Negri & Irineu de Brito Junior & Liliam César de Castro Medeiros & Isabela Lopes Lima Araújo & Mirela Beatriz Silva & Amanda Louisi dos Santos Galvão & Graziele Cora, 2022. "Association between Contact with Nature and Anxiety, Stress and Depression Symptoms: A Primary Survey in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-10, August.
    4. Kun Wang & Zhihao Sun & Meng Cai & Lingbo Liu & Hao Wu & Zhenghong Peng, 2022. "Impacts of Urban Blue-Green Space on Residents’ Health: A Bibliometric Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-21, December.

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