Reducing Inequities in Early Childhood Mental Health: How Might the Neighborhood Built Environment Help Close the Gap? A Systematic Search and Critical Review

Amanda Alderton, Karen Villanueva, Meredith O’Connor, Claire Boulangé and Hannah Badland
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Amanda Alderton: Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Karen Villanueva: Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Meredith O’Connor: Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Claire Boulangé: Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Hannah Badland: Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-23

Abstract: Background: Optimal mental health in early childhood is key to later mental health, physical health, education, and social outcomes; yet, children facing disadvantage tend to have worse mental health and fewer opportunities to develop this foundation. An emerging body of research shows that neighborhoods provide important opportunities for the development of children’s mental health. Synthesizing this evidence can advance understandings of the features of the neighborhood built environment (e.g., housing, parks) that (1) promote optimal mental health in childhood and (2) reduce mental health inequities. Methods: We systematically searched and critically reviewed the international quantitative literature investigating associations between the neighborhood built environment and young children’s mental health. Results: 14 articles met inclusion criteria; most examined nature or public open space. Studies tended to find greater access to or quantity of neighborhood nature or public open space were associated with better mental health. Significant gaps included a lack of studies investigating social infrastructure, and few studies examined how the built environment related to positive mental health (i.e., functioning, rather than problems). Conclusions: Current evidence suggests there is some relationship, but additional research is needed that addresses these gaps and examines differences in associations between child subgroups (e.g., diverse socioeconomic backgrounds).

Keywords: children; health inequalities; mental health; neighborhood effects; social determinants; socio-ecological model; urban planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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