Association between residential greenness during childhood and trait emotional intelligence during young adulthood: A retrospective life course analysis in the United States. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Browning, Matthew H.E.M.; Li, Dongying; White, Mathew P.; Bratman, Gregory N.; Becker, Douglas; Benfield, Jacob A.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 74(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Youth development -- Socio-behavioral health -- Socioemotional health -- NDVI -- Greenspace; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Trait emotional intelligence reflects a set of self-perceptions and behavioral tendencies to empathize with others and manage one's own emotions. Trait emotional intelligence is a valuable characteristic since it can aid social interaction, bolster subjective wellbeing, and predict career success. Past research suggests that brief exposures to greenspace can enhance outcomes related to facets of trait emotional intelligence. The current study employed a retrospective life course analysis to examine whether residential greenness and other aspects of the residential environment predict trait emotional intelligence in early adulthood. Childhood exposure for 297 college students was based on up to three home addresses from birth to age 18, weighted by residency duration. Greenspace was calculated with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values in 500 m and 1000 m buffers. Partially supporting our predictions, we found emotional intelligence in young adults growing up in lower-income areas was positively associated with cumulative neighborhood greenness around childhood homes. The opposite pattern was found for those who grew up in higher-income areas, with greater greenness500-m being associated with lower emotional intelligence scores. These are the first reported findings involving physical/natural environmental correlates of emotional intelligence and among the first to suggest an equigenic effect of greenspace on socio-emotional outcomes whereby exposure might help overturn inequalities rather than merely reduce them. If a causal link exists between nature exposure and emotional intelligence, then neighborhood greening might help children who begin life at a societal disadvantage through enhancing their ability to understand, use, and manage emotions. Highlights: Greenspace exposure may improve trait emotional intelligence (EI). Tested whether childhood residential greenness predicts young adult EI. Greenness was not associated with EI in full sample (N = 297). EI was higher among adults raised in lower-income, greener areas. Greenness may have equigenic effects on socio-emotional health.