The relationship between green space and adolescents’ mental well-being

Aim: Mental health problems are prevalent among adolescents. Green space may positively impact adolescents’ mental well-being, but research with this group is scarce. Evidence is needed so urban planners and policymakers can make decisions that create places where adolescents thrive. This thesis aim was to contribute to a greater understanding of associations between green space and mental well-being among adolescents, and to identify factors that could impact this relationship. Methods: This research comprised four stages: 1) systematic review of the green space-adolescent mental well-being literature; 2) path analysis to explore the relationship between green space and adolescents’ mental well-being through physical activity, social cohesion, and sleep; 3) multiple regression to assess the possible inequitable green space spatial distribution among priority population groups; 4) double moderation models to test whether the relationships between green space accessibility and mental well-being is moderated by sociodemographic factors and perceived neighbourhood safety simultaneously among adolescents. Data for urban-dwelling adolescents were drawn from Youth19 surveys. Measures of green space were derived using Geographic Information Systems. Findings: Green space was not associated with adolescent mental well-being through physical activity, social cohesion, and sleep in the fully adjusted model. The most deprived neighbourhoods tended to have more green space availability but less accessibility. Children, adolescents and the elderly were likely to have less potential opportunity to choose different green spaces to visit. Differences in availability and accessibility were observed for ethnic minorities. Under the condition of not feeling safe in neighbourhoods all the time, adverse effects of green space on mental well-being were found in rainbow, disabled, Asian, and Pacific adolescents. Conclusion: This thesis provides new and novel evidence regarding the relationship between green space and adolescents’ mental well-being. The null and adverse effects of green space overall, in combination with the importance of safe spaces for priority groups, have important implications for public health and urban planning, particularly in mental health promotion and mitigation of health inequalities in adolescents residing in urban areas.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Health Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

ResearchSpace@Auckland

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Zhang, Yijun

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Smith, Melody
• Zhao, Jinfeng
• Mavoa, Suzanne

Statement dc:rights

• Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2292/66980

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchspace.auckland.ac.nz:2292/66980