Association Between Green Space Exposure and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Hongyu Yu

doi:10.54254/2753-7064/2025.LC26425

Communications in Humanities ResearchOpen access

Association Between Green Space Exposure and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Research Article

Open Access

Association Between Green Space Exposure and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Hongyu Yu ^1*

¹ University of California

^*Corresponding author: Yhy221@outlook.com

Published on 3 September 2025

CHR Vol.76

ISSN (Print): 2753-7072

ISSN (Online): 2753-7064

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-146-4

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-284-3

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Abstract

Adolescent depression has become a growing global public health problem. Although existing research suggests that urban green spaces have a positive effect on mental health, most studies have been conducted with adults or older adults. As a vulnerable group at a critical developmental stage, adolescents may exhibit different psychological responses to green space exposure in their residential environments, necessitating in-depth exploration. Focusing on the relationship between green space exposure and depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 13-19 years, this review synthesizes cohort studies, cross-sectional surveys, and systematic reviews published between January 2019 and July 2025, analyzing the effects of variables including green space distribution, accessibility, and frequency of use. Findings suggest that greater access to green spaces in adolescents is generally associated with reduced depressive symptoms, an effect that may be realized through stress moderation and enhanced social support. However, existing studies differ in design, measurement tools, and control of confounders, limiting the generalizability of findings. Notably, the dose-response relationship between green space exposure and depressive symptoms remains largely unexplored. Future studies should standardize green space exposure assessments, explore dose-response relationships, and focus on cultural and socioeconomic factors to guide mental health interventions and urban greening planning.

Keywords:

Adolescent mental health, Green space exposure, Depressive symptoms, Environmental intervention, Social determinants of health

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References

[1]. Benton, T. D., Boyd, R. C., & Njoroge, W. F. (2021). Addressing the global crisis of child and adolescent mental health. JAMA pediatrics, 175(11), 1108-1110.

Cite this article

Yu,H. (2025). Association Between Green Space Exposure and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Communications in Humanities Research,76,44-50.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICADSS 2025 Symposium: Art, Identity, and Society: Interdisciplinary Dialogues

ISBN: 978-1-80590-146-4(Print) / 978-1-80590-284-3(Online)

Editor: Ioannis Panagiotou, Yanhua Qin

Conference website: https://2025.icadss.org/Lincoln.html

Conference date: 22 August 2025

Series: Communications in Humanities Research

Volume number: Vol.76

ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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