Investigating the impact of environmental pollution on adolescent mental health and cognition
Author(s)
Thompson, Rhiannon Sarah
Type
Thesis or dissertation
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that environmental pollution can impact people physiologically and psychologically. Therefore, this PhD aimed to investigate the impact of environmental air and noise pollution on adolescent mental health and cognition. Firstly, two systematic literature reviews were conducted evaluating the evidence for air pollution and noise effects, respectively, showing generally detrimental trends but with low certainty evidence. This demonstrated the need for further, good quality research. Next, interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 14-18 (N=15) about their experiences of environmental problems. Co- produced qualitative thematic analysis showed that environmental quality, including air quality and noise levels, contributes to young people’s sense of wellbeing, especially feelings of stress and overwhelm. High concern was shown for environmental issues in general, particularly climate change.
Finally, an epidemiological analysis of the London based adolescent cohort SCAMP (Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones) was conducted. Multi-level multivariate linear regression, generalised additive modelling, moderation and mediation analyses were conducted using longitudinal data, predicting measured mental health and cognition at age 11-13, 13-15, and 15-18, from modelled annual exposure to air pollution and noise (N=7555 total, with sample sizes varying by specific exposure-outcome analysis). Analyses revealed detrimental effects of exposure to ozone and cognitive development, and particulate matter < 10 μm in diameter (PM10) and mental health. However, some ‘beneficial’ effects were observed between pollutants and executive function, driven by indoor exposure. In multi- pollutant models, daytime noise was associated with some detrimental effects, and particulate matter with ameliorated processing speed development. Ozone and PM10 were associated with greater odds of psychosis symptoms in male and low IQ students respectively, and mixed-race students presented some unique detrimental effects of air pollution and cognition.
Finally, an epidemiological analysis of the London based adolescent cohort SCAMP (Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones) was conducted. Multi-level multivariate linear regression, generalised additive modelling, moderation and mediation analyses were conducted using longitudinal data, predicting measured mental health and cognition at age 11-13, 13-15, and 15-18, from modelled annual exposure to air pollution and noise (N=7555 total, with sample sizes varying by specific exposure-outcome analysis). Analyses revealed detrimental effects of exposure to ozone and cognitive development, and particulate matter < 10 μm in diameter (PM10) and mental health. However, some ‘beneficial’ effects were observed between pollutants and executive function, driven by indoor exposure. In multi- pollutant models, daytime noise was associated with some detrimental effects, and particulate matter with ameliorated processing speed development. Ozone and PM10 were associated with greater odds of psychosis symptoms in male and low IQ students respectively, and mixed-race students presented some unique detrimental effects of air pollution and cognition.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2022-06-25
Date Awarded
2022-11-01
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
License URL
Advisor
Toledano, Mireille
Sponsor
National Institute for Health and Care Research
Grant Number
PD-SPH-2015
Publisher Department
School of Public Health
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)