Can Neighborhood Greenspace Modulate Urban Youth Aggression?

Living near parks and open fields significantly reduced aggressive behaviors.

Exposure to greenspace (parks, golf courses, and open fields) has been shown to improve the mental health of people living in urban environments. Can it also reduce aggression among urban-dwelling youth?

To find out, investigators conducted a prospective study involving a diverse cohort of 1287 adolescents (age range, 9–18 years) living in an urban community. A standardized parent report (the Child Behavior Checklist) was used to assess aggressive behaviors on at least two occasions. The results were correlated with a standardized index of vegetation derived from satellite imagery (the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), a proxy for residential neighborhood greenspace.

Living within 1000 meters of greenspace was significantly associated …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics