B3414 - The Association between the Natural Environment and Emotional Social and Behavioural Development - 02/12/2019

B number: 
B3414
Principal applicant name: 
Dr Benedict Wheeler | University of Exeter (UK)
Co-applicants: 
Mr Mark Ferguson, Dr Alison Teyhan, Dr Rosie McEachan, Dr Rebecca Lovell , Mr Andy Boyd, Prof John Macleod
Title of project: 
The Association between the Natural Environment and Emotional, Social and Behavioural Development
Proposal summary: 

Exposure to natural environments has been shown to be associated with child development and outcomes later in life. This will be investigated by measuring exposure to the natural environment using a combination of linked spatial environmental indicators and self-reported data. For example, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) measurements will be used alongside subjective measurements of parks visits and outdoor time. This will assess exposure multi-dimensionally, by measuring how much an individual visits natural environments as well as the abundance of vegetation in their living environments.

The primary outcome of interest will be emotional, social and behavioural development, primarily assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. It will be assessed at multiple time points and corroborated from parent and teacher-reported sources. Other mental wellbeing/developmental measures will be used as secondary outcomes. The project will also investigate potential intermediate variables such as air pollution, maternal wellbeing, biomarkers of stress and birth outcomes. Access to the natural environment is often distributed
by social class / socio-economic status. Therefore detailed and multiple dimensional indicators will be used to account for confounding.

Impact of research: 
The primary impact of this research will be to develop the evidence base on the connection between natural environments/ Greenspace and childhood development. Many studies in the field have been cross-sectional. Therefore adding a study with highly detailed temporal data will enhance the evidence base, particularly if submitted for publication in a high-quality journal. The variables available within ALSPAC will allow for the development of greenspace exposure metrics beyond what is often used in greenspace and health studies. This will help to understand which metrics (i.e. geospatial or self-reported metrics) are most appropriate; it will enable a greater understanding of what aspect(s) of the natural environment are likely to influence child development. For example, whether active usage or passive exposure is more prominent and at which stages of the life course may be more sensitive. Utilising this data will be impactful for ALSPAC and PEARL and display the increasing potential of linking cohort studies to geospatial data temporally.
Date proposal received: 
Tuesday, 19 November, 2019
Date proposal approved: 
Thursday, 21 November, 2019
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Behaviour - e.g. antisocial behaviour, risk behaviour, etc., Mental health, Statistical methods, Development, Environment - enviromental exposure, pollution