Nature views from the classroom window associated with lower behavior problems among children
Topics: Health and Medical
, Human-Environment Geography
,
Keywords: Keywords: visual green space; visual nature; mental health; anxiety; school; Michigan
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Tuesday
Session Start / End Time: 3/1/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 3/1/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 46
Authors:
Catherine Danielle Brown, Michigan State University
Amber Pearson, Michigan State University
Kimberly Clevenger, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) at National Cancer Insititute
Karin Pfeiffer, Michigan State University
,
,
,
,
,
,
Abstract
Evidence of the positive impact of visual green space and/or nature on mental well-being is mounting. Most of this research has been conducted on adults and considered only visual exposure to nature from residential locations. However, since children spend many of their waking hours at school, nature views from the classroom are particularly important for cognition and behavior. Thus here, we analyzed the relationships between elementary-age children’s behavior problems and objectively-measured visual exposure to nature through classroom windows. Additionally, we sought to determine whether views of specific nature types (i.e., sky, grass, tree, shrub) influenced children’s behavior problems. In order to do so, images of window-scapes were taken in fifteen classrooms in three East Lansing, Michigan elementary schools in early summer, and nature pixels were quantified. Guardians of children (n=86) within these classrooms completed the Brief Problem Monitor Parent Form (BPM-P), which identifies internalizing, externalizing, and attention behavior problems. We then fitted regression models to evaluate associations between views of nature and behavior problems, accounting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. We found a negative association between views of nature and behavior problems. This initial study suggests that classroom window-scapes and nature on school grounds could usefully be considered in school design and landscaping to promote child mental health.
Nature views from the classroom window associated with lower behavior problems among children
Category
Virtual Paper Abstract
Description
This abstract is part of a session. Click here to view the session.
| Slides