Residential greenness trajectories and child emotional and behavioral difficulties in early childhood: results from ELFE mother-child cohort

Background

Scientific evidence suggests that residential greenness benefits children's mental health. This study examined relationships between residential greenness trajectories and children's emotional and behavioral difficulties in a representative sample of French children.

Method

Data from 10,092 children from the ELFE cohort were analyzed from birth to age 5. Residential greenness was measured based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index at 2 months, 3.5 and 5.5 years-old, with trajectories identified using group-based trajectory modeling. Children's mental health was assessed using parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at age 5.5. Associations between greenness trajectories and SDQ scores were assessed via regression models weighted on propensity scores.

Findings

Three residential greenness trajectories were identified. Children exposed to average and high greenness had fewer internalizing difficulties compared to the low greenness group (β = −0.11, 95°%CI = −0.22, 0.00, P = 0.05; β = −0.15, 95°%CI = −0.27, −0.03, P = 0.02, respectively). Children exposed to average and high greenness showed fewer peer relationship problems (β = −0.13, 95°%CI = −0.24, −0.02, P = 0.03; β = −0.15, 95°%CI = −0.27, −0.02, P = 0.02, respectively). However, children in the high greenness group had increased levels of hyperactivity/inattention symptoms (β = 0.12, 95°%CI = 0.01, 0.24, P = 0.03). These associations were only statistically significant among children from low-income families.

Interpretation

Higher greenness exposure throughout childhood is associated with lower levels of internalizing difficulties, particularly peer relationships. However, it is also linked to increased hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. This is particularly the case among children from low-income families. These results suggest that exposure to greenness can predict certain aspects of children's emotional well-being and will require replication in other large-scale cohorts.