The Giving Tree: The Impact of Natural Outdoor Exposure in Childhood on Adult Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract

The literature on environmental psychology has been growing steadily for years and continually reaffirms the notion that exposure to the natural environment has incredible mental health benefits. Building off of this literature, there has been a growing number of developmental psychologists looking into the interaction of these two subjects. Furthermore, the current study continues this work in identifying the possible relationship between natural outdoor exposure in childhood and mental health outcomes in adulthood. 256 Princeton University students completed a survey about their exposure to the outdoors in childhood and their current mental health using a previously reviewed symptom self-checker. These data along with demographic information provide a pattern of clear results, showing that participants who had more childhood experience with nature have better mental health now as adults. Finding this pattern to be significant forces us to notice the importance of the natural environment and work to ensure its accessibility for all children and its protection from further climate change damage. Further research must be conducted in order to fully understand the impact of this relationship and the levels at which natural outdoor exposure affects us.