Volume 29, Issue 1 (3-2022)
RJMS 2022, 29(1): 234-240 |
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Research code: 01
Ethics code: 01
Clinical trials code: 01
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Ansari J, Ebrahimi M. The Role of Urban Green Infrastructure Planning on Improving Children's Mental Health y. RJMS 2022; 29 (1) :234-240
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8661-en.html
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8661-en.html
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Payam Noor University, Isfahan, Iran , mahdebrahimi@yahoo.com
Abstract: (182 Views)
Background & Aims: Urban green infrastructure planning with an emphasis on improving children's mental health is important from many aspects and has wide-ranging effects on their physical, mental, and social development. Green spaces in cities, especially in areas where children spend most of their time, such as residential neighborhoods, schools, and playgrounds, play an irreplaceable role in their mental health and well-being. Studies show that access to green spaces and nature reduces children's stress improves mood, reduces anxiety, and strengthens cognitive abilities. When children play in natural environments, they have more freedom to explore, learn, and imagine, which helps boost their confidence and self-efficacy. Also, connecting with nature and green infrastructure separates children from stressful urban environments, including noise, pollution, and congestion, and allows them to release their energy in a calm and inspiring atmosphere. In addition, being in green spaces helps strengthen social relationships among children. Group games and social interactions that take place in parks and green spaces improve children's communication skills and help them feel a greater sense of social belonging. Investing in urban green infrastructure with an emphasis on children's mental health is not only for the benefit of the current generation but will also have positive effects on the future of society. Since there is little information about urban vegetable infrastructure planning with an emphasis on improving children's mental health, it was investigated in this study.
Methods: The purpose of this research is practical, which was carried out with a mixed approach (qualitative and quantitative) with an exploratory design. The statistical population studied in the qualitative section, included specialists, experts, and experts in the field of urban infrastructure, as well as specialists in the field of geography in Tehran province, 25 of them were identified and their opinions were used in the qualitative section. The statistical population studied in the quantitative part includes all the citizens and residents of Tehran, whose opinions were used in the quantitative part. In the qualitative section, 15 people were selected as a statistical sample using the purposeful sampling method and considering the saturation law. In the quantitative section, 210 questionnaires were distributed among the citizens and residents of Tehran, and 188 questionnaires were answered. In the quantitative part, based on the criteria extracted from the qualitative stage, researcher-made urban infrastructure questionnaires and mental health questionnaires were used to collect the required data. Pearson's correlation test was used to analyze the data.
Results: Table 1, shows the descriptive data including the mean and standard deviation of urban infrastructure and mental health variables. According to Table (2), because the value of the significance level of urban infrastructure and mental health variables is smaller than the predicted error value, the relationship between the variables is statistically significant and since the calculated correlation coefficient is equal to 0.497 be Therefore, with a confidence level of 95%, we can conclude that there is a direct and meaningful relationship between urban infrastructure and mental health; That is, with the increase of urban infrastructure, mental health increases and vice versa. The results showed that because the significance level of urban infrastructure and mental health variables is smaller than the predicted error value, therefore the relationship between the variables is statistically significant since the calculated correlation coefficient is equal to 0.497. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a direct and meaningful relationship between urban infrastructure and mental health.
Conclusion: From the perspective of cognitive development, interaction with natural and green environments strengthens children's creativity and imagination. These environments allow them to explore and experience without the constraints of closed urban environments, which helps improve their cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities. In addition, physical activities in green spaces, such as group games or running, improve children's physical health, and this also has a direct effect on their mental health. Socially, green spaces provide an environment for creating positive social interactions. Playing in these environments strengthens children's social relationships with peers and even family members. These social interactions strengthen the sense of belonging and emotional security in children and prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation. Planning for urban green infrastructure, especially in neighborhoods where children's access to green spaces is limited, has a significant impact on reducing social inequalities. Providing these facilities to all children, regardless of their economic or social background, ensures that all children have equal opportunities to benefit from the positive effects of nature. Overall, the results indicate that targeted and fair planning for urban green infrastructure not only has a positive effect on children's mental health but also has long-term effects on society. Healthier and happier children can become more useful people in society in the future, and this helps to improve the quality of life on a macro level.
Methods: The purpose of this research is practical, which was carried out with a mixed approach (qualitative and quantitative) with an exploratory design. The statistical population studied in the qualitative section, included specialists, experts, and experts in the field of urban infrastructure, as well as specialists in the field of geography in Tehran province, 25 of them were identified and their opinions were used in the qualitative section. The statistical population studied in the quantitative part includes all the citizens and residents of Tehran, whose opinions were used in the quantitative part. In the qualitative section, 15 people were selected as a statistical sample using the purposeful sampling method and considering the saturation law. In the quantitative section, 210 questionnaires were distributed among the citizens and residents of Tehran, and 188 questionnaires were answered. In the quantitative part, based on the criteria extracted from the qualitative stage, researcher-made urban infrastructure questionnaires and mental health questionnaires were used to collect the required data. Pearson's correlation test was used to analyze the data.
Results: Table 1, shows the descriptive data including the mean and standard deviation of urban infrastructure and mental health variables. According to Table (2), because the value of the significance level of urban infrastructure and mental health variables is smaller than the predicted error value, the relationship between the variables is statistically significant and since the calculated correlation coefficient is equal to 0.497 be Therefore, with a confidence level of 95%, we can conclude that there is a direct and meaningful relationship between urban infrastructure and mental health; That is, with the increase of urban infrastructure, mental health increases and vice versa. The results showed that because the significance level of urban infrastructure and mental health variables is smaller than the predicted error value, therefore the relationship between the variables is statistically significant since the calculated correlation coefficient is equal to 0.497. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a direct and meaningful relationship between urban infrastructure and mental health.
Conclusion: From the perspective of cognitive development, interaction with natural and green environments strengthens children's creativity and imagination. These environments allow them to explore and experience without the constraints of closed urban environments, which helps improve their cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities. In addition, physical activities in green spaces, such as group games or running, improve children's physical health, and this also has a direct effect on their mental health. Socially, green spaces provide an environment for creating positive social interactions. Playing in these environments strengthens children's social relationships with peers and even family members. These social interactions strengthen the sense of belonging and emotional security in children and prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation. Planning for urban green infrastructure, especially in neighborhoods where children's access to green spaces is limited, has a significant impact on reducing social inequalities. Providing these facilities to all children, regardless of their economic or social background, ensures that all children have equal opportunities to benefit from the positive effects of nature. Overall, the results indicate that targeted and fair planning for urban green infrastructure not only has a positive effect on children's mental health but also has long-term effects on society. Healthier and happier children can become more useful people in society in the future, and this helps to improve the quality of life on a macro level.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Clinical Psychiatry
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