The Effect of the Social and Physical Environment on Children’s Independent Mobility to Neighborhood Destinations

Abstract

Background:Relationships between context-specific measures of the physical and social environment and children’s independent mobility to neighborhood destination types were examined.Methods:Parents in RESIDE’s fourth survey reported whether their child (8–15 years; n = 181) was allowed to travel without an adult to school, friend’s house, park and local shop. Objective physical environment measures were matched to each of these destinations. Social environment measures included neighborhood perceptions and items specific to local independent mobility.Results:Independent mobility to local destinations ranged from 30% to 48%. Independent mobility to a local park was less likely as the distance to the closest park (small and large size) increased and less likely with additional school grounds (P < .05). Independent mobility to school was less likely as the distance to the closest large park increased and if the neighborhood was perceived as unsafe (P < .05). Independent mobility to a park or shops decreased if parenting social norms were unsupportive of children’s local independent movement (P < .05).Conclusions:Independent mobility appears dependent upon the specific destination being visited and the impact of neighborhood features varies according to the destination examined. Findings highlight the importance of access to different types and sizes of urban green space for children’s independent mobility to parks.

The effect of siblings and family dog ownership on children's independent mobility to neighbourhood destinations

“…Overall, 56% of children had an older sibling (8–17 years), 26% had an older sibling of the same gender, 53% had a dog at home and 34% of parents perceived that it was unsafe for children to independently move around the neighbourhood. Detailed sample characteristics have been reported previously 17 . Being male and older (vs. female and younger) was associated with increased odds of being independently mobile (results not shown).…”

Can the Neighborhood Built Environment Make a Difference in Children's Development? Building the Research Agenda to Create Evidence for Place-Based Children's Policy

“…As urban density and the number of dwellings with no or small yards increases, providing local spaces and facilitating safe play within the local neighborhood is increasingly important 88 . Designing neighborhoods that encourage children's health and wellbeing includes access to local destinations, including green space and nature, and local infrastructure and services 70,89 . We know that destinations such as schools, recreation venues, and child and health care services all have inherent functional roles, but they can also serve as physical places for social interaction and developing networks of support 35 .…”

Risk Engagement and Protection Survey (REPS): developing and validating a survey tool on fathers’ attitudes towards child injury protection and risk engagement

“…This idea is supported through research on the psychology of decision making that has shown risk preferences to be influenced by a range of situational factors 20. More specifically related to parenting, Christian et al 19 reported that independent mobility of children aged 8–15 years allowed by parents was related to factors in the physical environment as well to social norms.…”