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Cited by 102Urban Green Space and HealthChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentCrime Patterns and Interventions

The relationship between green space and prosocial behaviour among children and adolescents: A systematic review

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Putra, I Gusti Ngurah Edi, Astell-Burt, Thomas, Cliff, Dylan P., Vella, Stewart A., John, Eme Eseme, Feng, Xiaoqi·2020·Frontiers in Psychology
DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00859PMC PMC7203527
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Abstract

The plausible role of nearby green space in influencing prosocial behaviour among children and adolescents has been studied recently. However, no review has been conducted of the evidence testing the association between green space and prosocial behaviour. This systematic review addresses this gap among children and adolescents. Within this review, we proposed a conceptual framework describing potential pathways linking green space to prosocial behaviour, discussed the direction, magnitude, moderators, and mediators of the association, and developed a narrative synthesis of future study directions. Out of 63 extracted associations from 15 studies, 44 were in the positive or expected direction, of which 18 were reported to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Overall, the current evidence shows that exposure to green space may potentially increase prosocial behaviour among children and adolescents, with some contingencies (e.g. child’s sex, ethnic background). However, the volume and quality of this evidence is not yet sufficient to draw conclusions on causality. Further, heterogeneity in the indicators of green space exposure could lead to mixed findings. In addition, none of the included studies investigated potential mediators. Nevertheless, this review provides preliminary evidence and a basis for further investigation with rigorous study methodology capable of drawing causal inferences and testing potential effect modifiers, linking pathways, and relevant green space measures.

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Authors
Putra, I. G. N. E., Astell-Burt, T., Cliff, D. P., Vella, S. A., John, E. E., & Feng, X.
Affiliations
  • University of Wollongong (AU)
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Psychology
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2020-04-30
Volume
11
Pages
859-859
ISSN
1664-1078 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00859
PMC
PMC7203527
OpenAlex
W3021330527
Cited by
102
References
141
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 3
FWCI
1.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Australian Government (GC15005)
  • Hort Innovation (GC15005)
  • University of Wollongong (GC15005)
  • Medical Research Council (1148792)
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (1140317, 1148792, GC15005)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
Keywords
green spaces, prosocial behavior, children, adolescents, green space exposure, environmental exposure, sex differences, ethnic differences, mediators, effect modifiers, conceptual framework

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