Carola J C Van Aart1, Nathalie Michels2, Isabelle Sioen3, Annelies De Decker2, Esmee M Bijnens4, Bram G Janssen4, Stefaan De Henauw5, Tim S Nawrot6. 1. Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Carola.vanAart@ugent.be. 2. Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. 3. Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. 4. Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 43, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium. 5. Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Health Sciences, Vesalius, University College Ghent, Keramiekstraat 80, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. 6. Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 43, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Kapucijnenvoer 35 blok d, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The effects of residential landscape, i.e., land use and traffic, on psychosocial stress in children are unknown, even though childhood stress might negatively affect normal development. In a longitudinal study, we investigate whether the residential landscape predicts childhood psychosocial stress and whether associations are independent of noise and air pollution. METHODS: Belgian children aged 6.7-12.2 (N = 172, 50.9% boys) were followed for three years (2012-2015). Information on stress was obtained using standardized behavioral and emotional questionnaires and by a measure of hair cortisol. Residential landscape, including natural, agricultural, industrial, residential areas, and traffic, in a 100-m to 5-km radius around each child's home was characterized. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between psychosocial stress and the residential landscape were studied using linear regression and mixed models, while adjusting for age, sex, and parental socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Natural landscapes were positively associated with better emotional status (increased happiness and lower sadness, anxiousness, and total negative emotions, β = 0.14-0.17, 95% CI = 0.01-0.30). Similarly, we observed an inverse association between residential and traffic density with hyperactivity problems (β = 0.13-0.18, 95% CI = 0.01-0.34). In longitudinal analyses, industrial area was a predictor of increases in negative emotions, while a natural landscape was for increases in happiness. Only the effect of natural landscape was partly explained by residential noise. CONCLUSION: Residential greenness in proximity to a child's residence might result in a better childhood emotional status, whereas poorer emotional status and behavioral problems (hyperactivity problems) were seen with residential and industrial areas and increased traffic density in proximity to a child's home.
BACKGROUND: The effects of residential landscape, i.e., land use and traffic, on psychosocial stress in children are unknown, even though childhood stress might negatively affect normal development. In a longitudinal study, we investigate whether the residential landscape predicts childhood psychosocial stress and whether associations are independent of noise and air pollution. METHODS: Belgian children aged 6.7-12.2 (N = 172, 50.9% boys) were followed for three years (2012-2015). Information on stress was obtained using standardized behavioral and emotional questionnaires and by a measure of hair cortisol. Residential landscape, including natural, agricultural, industrial, residential areas, and traffic, in a 100-m to 5-km radius around each child's home was characterized. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between psychosocial stress and the residential landscape were studied using linear regression and mixed models, while adjusting for age, sex, and parental socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Natural landscapes were positively associated with better emotional status (increased happiness and lower sadness, anxiousness, and total negative emotions, β = 0.14-0.17, 95% CI = 0.01-0.30). Similarly, we observed an inverse association between residential and traffic density with hyperactivity problems (β = 0.13-0.18, 95% CI = 0.01-0.34). In longitudinal analyses, industrial area was a predictor of increases in negative emotions, while a natural landscape was for increases in happiness. Only the effect of natural landscape was partly explained by residential noise. CONCLUSION: Residential greenness in proximity to a child's residence might result in a better childhood emotional status, whereas poorer emotional status and behavioral problems (hyperactivity problems) were seen with residential and industrial areas and increased traffic density in proximity to a child's home.
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