Residential Greenspace and Adolescent Outcome: Exploring Associations and Interactions with Peer Deviance

Greenspace is becoming a popular area of study in health research. Past research has linked greenspace and improved adult physical and mental health, but the research on children and adolescents remains mixed. This study explores the relationship between greenspace and adolescent outcomes, including antisocial behavior and depression. The role of peer group in this relationship was also examined. Survey data from a subset of an in-lab sample was used in this study, and public greenspace data was collected from satellite imagery. Pearson correlation tests between demographic variables, greenspace measures, and outcome variables were run, and multiple linear regression models were used to test the impact of greenspace on internalizing and externalizing outcomes. Results found that tree canopy is strongly related to demographic factors but is not significantly related to outcomes when these factors are present. Subgroups of each demographic variable and peer deviance were used to further explore associations. These analyses found for non-Black youth that greenspace was significantly, negatively related to depression. Furthermore, greenspace was related to outcomes on a significant level for youth in the high SES group. Greenspace was not found to be related to peer group deviance. This research provides evidence that greenspace is strongly related to socioeconomic factors and not directly related to outcomes. It may be that these factors are the link between greenspace and adolescent outcome.