Perceived Greenspace Exposure and Children’s Emotional Well-Being in Daily Life: Comparisons between Children Living in Urban and Rural Areas

The article investigates the crucial role of greenspace exposure in enhancing children's emotional well-being, focusing on the differences between urban and rural environments. It reveals that spending more time in greenspace and being exposed to areas with higher vegetation coverage and more attributes positively influences children's happiness and reduces emotional problems. The study employs a unique daily diary approach, capturing real-time data over 14 consecutive days, to examine the day-to-day associations between greenspace exposure and emotional well-being. This method provides a more nuanced understanding of how greenspace impacts children's mental health, highlighting the importance of considering the rural-urban divide. The findings suggest that urban children may benefit more from greenspaces with diverse attributes, while both urban and rural children experience universal benefits from time spent in greenspace and perceived vegetation coverage. The article also discusses the potential mechanisms behind these associations, such as the restorative effects of nature and the reduction of environmental stressors. Overall, the study offers valuable insights for greening strategies and public health policies aimed at improving children's emotional well-being through optimized greenspace design.