Poster #63 - The Effects of Exposure to Nature on the Behavioral Development of Children: Two Meta-analyses

• In Event: 3-053 - Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: PS 10 Section - Developmental Psychopathology

Integrative Statement

Introduction. In the near future nearly 70% of children worldwide will grow up in cities, and yet we know relatively little about the possible risks of growing up in such urban versus rural or “green” environments (Unicef, 2016). Children growing up in cities have, for example, have limited access to nature and few opportunities to engage in play activities in nature (Kellert, 2005). Relatedly, children’s time spent outdoors has drastically declined in the past few decades. However, different studies suggest that spending time outside, specifically in natural or “green” environments is related to better (mental) health outcomes in general and better behavioral development in particular. For example, studies show that growing up in green neighborhoods or having access to neighborhood green spots is associated with less conduct, peer, attention and hyperactivity problems (Kinnafick & Thøgersen-Ntoumani, 2014; Wells, 2000, Faber, Taylor, & Kuo, 2011). To date, the literature on these possible benefits of spending time in natural environments is scattered over different disciplines and has important limitations concerning causality and generalizability. An overview of the current evidence is missing. Therefore, we conducted two meta-analyses: one on the experimental and one on the correlational findings on the effects of nature on the behavioral development of preschool and schoolchildren (up to 12 years of age). Methods. The literature search was conducted through search syntax in the digital databases of PsychINFO, ERIC, Web of Science, and Medline. Moreover, we screened the references lists of review papers on this topic. This literature search yielded 4450 studies that were screened using the title. In turn, 719 studies were screened using the abstract and of 283 studies the full-text was screened (Figure 1). In the first meta-analysis, twelve (quasi)experimental studies were included, with 30 effect sizes (k), and a total sample of 1,342 children (n = 800 for intervention groups; n = 542 for comparison groups). In the second meta-analysis, seventeen correlational studies were included, with 74 effect sizes, and a total sample of 18,844 children. Of all studies, study characteristics (e.g., N, design, country, measures), sample characteristics (e.g., % boys, mean age) and effect sizes (Cohen’s d for experimental and r for correlational studies) were coded. Approximately 20% of the included studies were coded by two independent reviewers. Analysis. The data will be analyzed in two separate three-level meta-analyses in R. Results. Analyses are ongoing. Gaining insight into the effects of nature has important empirical and clinical implications. From an empirical perspective it can help us better understand the impact of children’s (built) environment on their development. From a clinical perspective, it might help us develop cost-effective and accessible prevention and intervention strategies. This might be specifically beneficial for children at increased risk for behavioral problems, such as (the often hard to reach) urban, low SES children. Implications of our findings for policy, education and clinical practice will be discussed.

Authors

• Joyce Weeland, University of Amsterdam
  Presenting Author

• Martine Moens, University of Amsterdam
  Non-Presenting Author

• Femke Beute, Eindhoven University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Janneke Staaks, University of Amsterdam
  Non-Presenting Author

• Yvonne de Kort, Eindhoven University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Geertjan Overbeek, University of Amsterdam
  Non-Presenting Author