Understanding the link between exposure to fine particulate matter and internalizing problem behaviors among children in South Korea

Indirect effects through maternal depression and child abuse

Bibliographic Data

ID12544964
AuthorsYoung Sun Joo (0000-0002-7142-3858, Myongji University), Jisun Kim (0000-0002-4183-4066, Ewha Womans University), Jung-Ae Lee (0009-0005-4919-5974), JungAe Lee, Ick‐joong Chung (0000-0002-3426-7956, Ewha Womans University, corresponding author), Ick-Joong Chung
Year2021
Volume68
Pages102531-102531
Publication date2021-02-21
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth & Place (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1353-8292 • E-ISSN: 1873-2054
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102531
PMID33618330
OpenAlexW3130625317
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited36

Exposure to air pollution is known to have detrimental effects on health. Previous studies have also found that exposure to fine particulate matter can cause adverse mental health outcomes. However, the link between exposure to fine particulate matter and children's mental health outcomes remains largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to understand the mechanisms of the effects of exposure to fine particulate matter on children's mental health outcomes, particularly focusing on internalizing problem behaviors. Using fine particulate data from the Ministry of Environment's Air Korea initiative and data from the Panel Study on Korean Children in 2018, this study employed structural equation models to examine the associations between exposure to fine particulate matter, maternal depressive symptoms, child abuse, and children's internalizing problems. Findings suggest that living in neighborhoods with higher exposure to fine particulate matter is positively associated with maternal depressive symptoms, increasing emotional abuse and neglect, which in turn is positively associated with children's internalizing problem behavior. However, physical abuse was not a significant mediator of children's internalizing problem behaviors. It may be necessary for policies that provide interventions for primary caregivers to reduce depression and child abuse to promote mental health outcomes for children, even in the presence of severe fine particulates

Child abuse · Depression (economics · Environmental health · Mental health · Neglect · Particulates · Physical abuse · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Suicide prevention · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Clinical Psychology · Energy and Environment Impacts · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology

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