Category
Theoretical Proposal
Description
Introduction/Background: Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, are increasingly prevalent among college students. While campus interventions often focus on individual-level services, environmental determinants of mental health receive less attention. Ambient air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), has been associated with adverse psychological outcomes. In contrast, exposure to green space has been linked to improved well-being and reduced stress. Emerging evidence suggests that greenness may buffer the adverse mental health effects of air pollution. This study aims to synthesize current evidence and propose a theoretical framework linking campus green space, air quality, and student mental health.
Methods: A narrative literature review approach was adopted. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2018 and 2025 were identified using PubMed and related databases. Studies examining green space exposure, air pollution exposure, mental health outcomes, and joint exposure or interaction models were included. Findings were synthesized to evaluate independent and moderating effects.
Results: Evidence indicates that exposure to ambient PM2.5 and NO2 is associated with increased depressive and anxiety symptoms. Green space exposure is associated with improved psychological well-being in young adult populations. Joint exposure studies demonstrate that higher levels of greenness may attenuate the association between air pollution and adverse mental health outcomes. Campus-specific interaction studies remain limited.
Conclusion: Integrating green infrastructure into university planning may represent an upstream public health strategy for mental health promotion. This theoretical proposal highlights the need for campus-level longitudinal studies examining interaction effects between greenness and air pollution.
Keywords: green space, air pollution, PM2.5, mental health, college students, environmental determinants
Campus Green Space, Air Quality, and Mental Health Among College Students
Theoretical Proposal
Introduction/Background: Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, are increasingly prevalent among college students. While campus interventions often focus on individual-level services, environmental determinants of mental health receive less attention. Ambient air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), has been associated with adverse psychological outcomes. In contrast, exposure to green space has been linked to improved well-being and reduced stress. Emerging evidence suggests that greenness may buffer the adverse mental health effects of air pollution. This study aims to synthesize current evidence and propose a theoretical framework linking campus green space, air quality, and student mental health.
Methods: A narrative literature review approach was adopted. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2018 and 2025 were identified using PubMed and related databases. Studies examining green space exposure, air pollution exposure, mental health outcomes, and joint exposure or interaction models were included. Findings were synthesized to evaluate independent and moderating effects.
Results: Evidence indicates that exposure to ambient PM2.5 and NO2 is associated with increased depressive and anxiety symptoms. Green space exposure is associated with improved psychological well-being in young adult populations. Joint exposure studies demonstrate that higher levels of greenness may attenuate the association between air pollution and adverse mental health outcomes. Campus-specific interaction studies remain limited.
Conclusion: Integrating green infrastructure into university planning may represent an upstream public health strategy for mental health promotion. This theoretical proposal highlights the need for campus-level longitudinal studies examining interaction effects between greenness and air pollution.
Keywords: green space, air pollution, PM2.5, mental health, college students, environmental determinants
