Nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Despite increasing interest in nature-based interventions (NBIs) for mental health, no or very few prior reviews have quantitatively synthesised their effects on children’s resilience, a key developmental outcome. This study systematically reviews and meta-analyses available evidence follow...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Mental Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00258-7 |
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| author | Myrian Sze Nga Fan William Ho Cheung Li Laurie Long Kwan Ho Kai Chow Choi Lophina Phiri Sara Pacchiani Brigitta Antal Clement Shek Kei Cheung Daoud Kamal Abu Khaleel |
| author_facet | Myrian Sze Nga Fan William Ho Cheung Li Laurie Long Kwan Ho Kai Chow Choi Lophina Phiri Sara Pacchiani Brigitta Antal Clement Shek Kei Cheung Daoud Kamal Abu Khaleel |
| author_sort | Myrian Sze Nga Fan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Despite increasing interest in nature-based interventions (NBIs) for mental health, no or very few prior reviews have quantitatively synthesised their effects on children’s resilience, a key developmental outcome. This study systematically reviews and meta-analyses available evidence following PRISMA guideline. The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, Embase, Education Resources Information Center, Medline, APA PsycArticles, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to November 28, 2024. For additional studies, Google Scholar and references from included studies were searched. The review included randomised clinical trials, controlled trials, and single-group pre-post studies reporting resilience. Findings not synthesised quantitatively were summarised narratively. A total of 13 articles involved 15 studies with 2,571 participants (mean age 15.57 years; range 13 to 17 years; 1315 [53%] female). Random-effect meta-analysis indicated significant moderate-to-large short-term effects of NBIs on children’s resilience (standardised mean difference, 0.64; 95% confidence level, 0.36 to 0.91; p <.001). Substantial heterogeneity of intervention effects was observed (I2 = 98%). This review provides preliminary evidence that NBIs may be associated with short-term improvements in resilience among children, though results should be interpreted cautiously due to study limitations. This early evidence highlights a community-based approach that may support resilience development through nature. Sailing showed some promise as an early observation noted in subgroup analysis and narrative synthesis emphasising nature-human kinship. High-quality trials are needed to evaluate the effects of sailing on resilience and address gaps: the long-term effect of NBIs and their impact on children outside the 13–17 age range. Trail registration: PROSPERO database (CRD42025634371). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc9d6a45d1884e06bc7d96a837481810 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-4383 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc9d6a45d1884e06bc7d96a8374818102025-08-20T03:42:48ZengSpringerDiscover Mental Health2731-43832025-07-015111610.1007/s44192-025-00258-7Nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience in children: a systematic review and meta-analysisMyrian Sze Nga Fan0William Ho Cheung Li1Laurie Long Kwan Ho2Kai Chow Choi3Lophina Phiri4Sara Pacchiani5Brigitta Antal6Clement Shek Kei Cheung7Daoud Kamal Abu Khaleel8The Chinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong KongUniversita Degli Studi Di Milano-BicoccaKároli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in HungaryUniversity of New South WalesHong Kong Institute of Vocational EducationAbstract Despite increasing interest in nature-based interventions (NBIs) for mental health, no or very few prior reviews have quantitatively synthesised their effects on children’s resilience, a key developmental outcome. This study systematically reviews and meta-analyses available evidence following PRISMA guideline. The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, Embase, Education Resources Information Center, Medline, APA PsycArticles, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to November 28, 2024. For additional studies, Google Scholar and references from included studies were searched. The review included randomised clinical trials, controlled trials, and single-group pre-post studies reporting resilience. Findings not synthesised quantitatively were summarised narratively. A total of 13 articles involved 15 studies with 2,571 participants (mean age 15.57 years; range 13 to 17 years; 1315 [53%] female). Random-effect meta-analysis indicated significant moderate-to-large short-term effects of NBIs on children’s resilience (standardised mean difference, 0.64; 95% confidence level, 0.36 to 0.91; p <.001). Substantial heterogeneity of intervention effects was observed (I2 = 98%). This review provides preliminary evidence that NBIs may be associated with short-term improvements in resilience among children, though results should be interpreted cautiously due to study limitations. This early evidence highlights a community-based approach that may support resilience development through nature. Sailing showed some promise as an early observation noted in subgroup analysis and narrative synthesis emphasising nature-human kinship. High-quality trials are needed to evaluate the effects of sailing on resilience and address gaps: the long-term effect of NBIs and their impact on children outside the 13–17 age range. Trail registration: PROSPERO database (CRD42025634371).https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00258-7ChildrenMental healthResilienceNature-based interventions |
| spellingShingle | Myrian Sze Nga Fan William Ho Cheung Li Laurie Long Kwan Ho Kai Chow Choi Lophina Phiri Sara Pacchiani Brigitta Antal Clement Shek Kei Cheung Daoud Kamal Abu Khaleel Nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis Discover Mental Health Children Mental health Resilience Nature-based interventions |
| title | Nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | nature based interventions for enhancing resilience in children a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Children Mental health Resilience Nature-based interventions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00258-7 |
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