Perceived neighbourhood safety moderates the relationship between active school travel and health-related quality of life

Gina Martin; Megan Graat; Alina Medeiros; Andrew F Clark; Brenton L G Button; Kendra Nelson Ferguson; Jason A Gilliland

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102623

Perceived neighbourhood safety moderates the relationship between active school travel and health-related quality of life

Health Place. 2021 Jul:70:102623. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102623. Epub 2021 Jul 12.

Authors

Gina Martin¹, Megan Graat², Alina Medeiros², Andrew F Clark², Brenton L G Button³, Kendra Nelson Ferguson², Jason A Gilliland⁴

Affiliations

¹ Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada.
² Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada.
³ Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Medical Education Research Lab in the North, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, P7B 5E1, Canada.
⁴ Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada; School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada. Electronic address: jgillila@uwo.ca.

PMID: 34265633
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102623

Abstract

There is a dearth of studies examining associations between active school travel and children's health-related quality of life. Additionally, studies have not examined how perceived neighbourhood characteristics may moderate these associations. This study aims to examine the relationship between regular active school travel, children's physical and psychosocial health-related quality of life, and the potential moderating effects of their perceived neighbourhood safety (interpersonal and traffic). This cross-sectional study used data from Ontario schoolchildren (aged 8-14) as part of the Spatial Temporal Environment and Activity Monitoring (STEAM) Project. Results showed no significant direct relationship between regular active school travel and children's physical or psychosocial functioning; but the relationships were moderated by perceived neighbourhood safety. Regular active school travelers with high levels of perceived neighbourhood interpersonal safety, had higher physical and psychosocial functioning than regular active school travelers with low levels of perceived neighbourhood interpersonal safety. Additionally, at higher levels of perceived neighbourhood traffic safety, regular active school travelers had higher psychosocial functioning than regular active school travelers with lower perceived neighbourhood traffic safety. Interventions promoting active school travel should consider the environments through which children will be traveling.

Keywords: Active school travel; Adolescent; Child; Moderation; Neighbourhood safety; Quality of life.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Parents*
Quality of Life*
Residence Characteristics
Safety
Schools

Grants and funding

CIHR/Canada