Association of access to parks with adolescent mental health

Background: Mental health problems among adolescents are a serious public health issue in the United States. Research has shown that adolescents’ neighborhood environment may have a significant effect on mental health.  However, few population-based studies have specifically examined the association of access to parks and open space with adolescent mental health. 

Methods: Data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and the California Protected Areas Database were used to examine the association of access to parks with adolescents’ psychological distress levels.  We conducted multivariate linear regression models of psychological distress adjusting for age, gender, race, BMI, and family income, as well as parents’ marital status, urbanicity, perceptions of neighborhood safety, and neighborhood-level median income. We also examined the impact of controlling for level of physical activity.

Results:  In regression analyses adjusting for the factors listed above, living in walking distance of a park was associated with lower psychological distress. Adolescents who were female, obese, perceived their neighborhoods were unsafe, and had divorced parents reported higher levels of psychological distress. Adding physical activity to the regression model slightly decreased the strength of the association between access to parks and psychological distress.

Conclusions: Results suggest that living close to a park is associated with lower levels of psychological distress among adolescents. This association may be influenced, in part, by level of physical activity. Increasing access to public open spaces may be helpful for promoting mental health and well-being among adolescents.