Not a level playing field: A qualitative study exploring structural, community and individual determinants of greenspace use amongst low-income multi-ethnic families
Structural, community and individual factors influence greenspace use among low-income multi-ethnic families
The health benefits of engagement with nature are well documented in the literature. Some research suggests that such benefits are greater for people living in more deprived communities. Increasing access to green space may thus be one way to reduce health inequalities between more-advantaged and less-advantaged groups of people. This study explored determinants (both barriers and enablers) of greenspace use among low-income, multi-ethnic parents living in a highly-deprived urban area. The aim of the study was to gain information that could be used by policy and decision makers in identifying clear key targets for intervention promoting more active greenspace use by low-income families.
Thirty parents of young children (age 0–3) participated in semi-structured interviews and group discussions focusing on reasons why they do and do not take their children to parks and green spaces. All of the parents lived in the most deprived areas of a large city in England. The parents were recruited through children’s centers, parenting programs, refugee parent-toddler groups, and other community organizations. Researchers used two resources — the Human Health Habitat Map and the Theoretical Domains Framework – in developing a plan for analyzing the data. These resources helped them consider enablers and barriers in relation to how the natural and built environment, social and community influences, and individual factors played a role in the families’ use of greenspace.
While all the parents valued greenspace, their use of greenspace was determined by a number of structural, community, and individual factors. One of the individual enablers was the fact that both parents and children valued natural blue and green features of greenspace. Several social factors also proved to be key enablers of greenspace use. These enablers included social support — which reduced fears related to the use of greenspace — and increased opportunity for positive social interactions. Individual factors preventing or inhibiting greenspace use included lack of knowledge about where to go or how to get there. Other barriers to greenspace use included lack of confidence in managing young children in an outdoor setting, fear of crime, antisocial behavior on the part of other visitors, and fear of accidents. Some aspects of the built environment were also identified as key barriers to greenspace use. These barriers included concerns related to unsuitable or unsafe playgrounds, lack of safe areas for children’s play, poor accessibility, and lack of toilets. Additional barriers included time pressures, difficulties of transporting and caring for young children, and weather-related issues.
This research indicates that addressing the “uneven playing field” experienced by families living in deprived urban communities requires a multi-pronged approach. While this approach needs to address structural quality issues and fears about safety in urban greenspaces, related initiatives also need to encourage and empower communities to reclaim their local greenspaces.
Citation
Cronin-de-Chavez, A., Islam, S., McEachan, R.R.C., (2019). Not a level playing field: A qualitative study exploring structural, community and individual determinants of greenspace use amongst low-income multi-ethnic families. Health & Place, 56,
