Systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis on social capital and active outdoor play: Relationships and impacts
Publication Details
Lee, E.,
Park, S.,
Jerebine, A.,
Down, M.,
Kim, U.,
Cheng, J.,
Saravanan, S.,
Abungin, L.,
Kim, Y.,
de Lannoy,, L.,
Manyanga, T.,
Ross-White, A.,
Vanderoo, L.,
Yi, K.,
&
Tremblay, M.
(2026).
Systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis on social capital and active outdoor play: Relationships and impacts.
Wellbeing, Space and Society, 10.
Abstract
Active outdoor play supports overall health and well-being for all ages. Social capital is known to associate with outdoor play; however, these relationships are likely complex. This systematic review and meta-synthesis aimed to clarify the relationships between social capital and active outdoor play across the lifespan within a socioecological framework. A comprehensive search was conducted in July 2024 and July 2025 across nine academic databases. Of 123 articles included, social support (54%) was the most frequently studied factor, followed by perceived safety (44%) and social interaction (30%). Other commonly studied factors included social norms (27%), social connectedness (24%), and social network (15%). Quantitative evidence with active outdoor play as outcome (n=53) generally reported that social support (131 observations; 53% consistency), social involvement (9 observations; 56% consistency), and social connectedness for adults only (12 observations, 75% consistency) are positively associated with active outdoor play, while other factors generally demonstrated null or inconclusive associations. With active outdoor play as exposure (n=5), social involvement, connectedness, and trust generally showed positive associations (11 observations, 73% consistency). Qualitative evidence suggested that infrastructure, policies, and urban planning at the macro-level influence perceived safety and social support, while also interacting with cross-level factors. At the meso-level, social norms and local relationships played a key role. At the micro-level, interpersonal relationships were the primary influencing factor. A comprehensive understanding of the potentially reciprocal relationships across varying social factors within a socioecological framework, along with their context-sensitive nature within multi-layered social environments can guide policies and strategies that promote lifelong active outdoor play while enhance community well-being simultaneously.
Keywords
socioecological, social support, perceived safety, social environment
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