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Contribution title Residential greenness trajectories and child emotional and behavioral difficulties in early childhood: results from ELFE mother-child cohort.
Contribution code D2.153
Authors
  1. Eloi CHAZELAS Épidémiologie Sociale, Santé Mentale Addictions (ESSMA) Presenter
  2. Devin Parker Sorbonne University
  3. Florencia BARRETO-ZARZA Épidémiologie Sociale, Santé Mentale et Addictions (ESSMA)
  4. Marie Aline CHARLES French Institute for Demographic Studies (Ined), French Institute for Medical Research and Health (Inserm), French Blood Agency, ELFE Joint Unit
  5. Maria Melchior Épidémiologie Sociale, Santé Mentale et Addictions (ESSMA)
Form of presentation Poster
Topic
  • T45 - Birth Cohorts and longitudinal studies
Abstract Aims
Scientific evidence suggests that residential greenness benefits children's mental health. This study examined relationships between residential greenness trajectories and emotional and behavioral difficulties in a representative sample of French children.

Methods
Data from 10,092 children (51.2% boys, 48.8% girls) from the ELFE cohort were analyzed from birth to age 5 (2011-2016). 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 (SDQ) at age 5.5. Associations between greenness trajectories and SDQ scores were assessed via linear and logistic regression weighted on propensity scores.

Results
Three residential greenness trajectories were identified. Children in average and high greenness trajectories had fewer internalizing difficulties compared to those in the low greenness trajectory (OR=0.90, 95% CI 0.81-1.00, P=0.05; OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.97, P=0.02, respectively). Children with high and average greenness trajectories showed fewer peer relationship problems (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.98, P=0.02; OR=0.88, 95% CI 0.79-0.98, P=0.03). However, children from high greenness trajectory had increased hyperactivity/inattention symptoms (OR=1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.27, P=0.03). These effects were significant only among low-income families.

Conclusions
Higher greenness exposure through childhood was associated with fewer internalizing difficulties, particularly peer relationships. However, it was also linked to increased symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention. These associations were significant only among children from low-income families. These results suggest that exposure to greenness can predict certain aspects of children’s emotional well-being and need replication in other large-scale representative cohorts.