The impact of green spaces on anxiety, depression, and ADHD in rural low-income children
Official title: Types of green spaces and the development of anxiety, depression, and ADHD in rural, low-income communities
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11116311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how spending time in different types of parks and natural areas can help kids from rural, low-income families feel better and manage issues like anxiety, depression, and ADHD, with the goal of finding out what kinds of green spaces work best for their mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $421,067 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH140292-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11116311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-20 years living in rural, low-income communities.
✕Less likely to help
Children living in urban areas or those not experiencing anxiety, depression, or ADHD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different types of green spaces can influence mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety, depression, and ADHD, in children from rural, low-income communities. By examining the relationship between exposure to natural environments and mental health, the study aims to identify how green spaces can serve as a protective factor against these disorders. The research will explore the timing and types of green space exposure that are most beneficial, as well as the consistency of these benefits throughout childhood. The findings could provide valuable insights into community-level interventions to improve mental health in these vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes for children in rural low-income areas by promoting the development and maintenance of green spaces.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that exposure to green spaces can positively impact mental health, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Towe, Nissa Rhiaan — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Towe, Nissa Rhiaan
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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.