How Green Spaces Affect Children's Mental Health and Sleep
Green Space, Mental Health and Sleep
This project looks at how spending time in green spaces might help improve sleep and mental well-being for elementary school children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123899 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that many children face mental health challenges, and getting enough sleep is really important for their overall health. This project explores if children who spend more time in parks or natural areas tend to sleep better and have better mental health. We will use GPS to track how much time children spend in green spaces and accelerometers to measure their physical activity and sleep patterns. We also want to understand if increased light exposure and lower stress levels play a role in these connections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be elementary school children, particularly those living in areas where green space access and mental health concerns are relevant.
Not a fit: Patients who are not elementary school children or who do not have access to green spaces may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could show that access to green spaces is a simple, natural way to support better sleep and mental health in children.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have suggested links between green space exposure and various health benefits, but this specific connection to sleep and mental health in children is being further explored.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grigsby, Diana Sylvia — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Grigsby, Diana Sylvia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.