The innate rights to nture in housing patterns and the mental development of children in their orientation towards the digital world (case study: neighborhoods of Zanjan city)

hazrati, majiid; Artishedar, Nafiseh; Heydari, Mohamad TAGHI

doi:10.66224/jcmh.13.2.10

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Volume 13, Issue 2 (Vol13 No2 Summer 2026- 2026)

J Child Ment Health 2026, 13(2): 165-181

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The innate rights to nture in housing patterns and the mental development of children in their orientation towards the digital world (case study: neighborhoods of Zanjan city)

Majiid Hazrati¹

, Nafiseh Artishedar²

, Mohamad TAGHI Heydari ^*¹

1- Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Zanjan, Iran
2- Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract: (371 Views)

Background and Purpose: The expansion of apartment living and the consequent reduction in children’s access to natural environments—alongside the growing use of digital devices—has raised concerns regarding the quality of their lived experiences and psychological well being. The present study aims to examine the impact of residential spatial typologies (detached houses and apartment units) on children’s inclination toward digital spaces and their level of interaction with nature, with particular emphasis on the concept of the “innate right to nature.”
Method: The research employs a descriptive–analytical approach and, in terms of purpose, falls within the category of applied studies. The statistical population consisted of parents of children aged 7 to 12 residing in selected neighborhoods of Zanjan, chosen through a multistage cluster sampling method. Data was collected using a researcher designed questionnaire. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using multiple regression in SPSS -21.
Results: Findings show that housing patterns and parental attitudes alone do not significantly influence children’s cognitive development or their inclination toward the digital world. Physical environmental factors—such as natural light, play space, and interaction with nature—also fail to fully account for this tendency in isolation, requiring examination alongside variables such as quality of access to technology, individual child characteristics, family conditions, and the educational environment. The coefficient of determination (R²) in the models further confirms the presence of complementary factors in explaining cognitive development. Specifically, sensory–motor activities (β = 0.059), independence and agency (β = 0.068), imagination and symbolization (β = 0.054), and access to technology (β = 0.108) significantly influence children’s cognitive development as perceived by parents regarding their child’s natural right to nature.
Conclusion: Enhancing children’s cognitive development requires a comprehensive, multidimensional approach—one that includes improving the quality of technology use, designing creative and interactive spaces, strengthening family interactions, and providing motivational environments, rather than relying solely on the physical typology of housing.

Article number: 10

Keywords: Birthright to nature, housing patterns, children’s cognitive development, digital world

Full-Text [PDF 921 kb] (107 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/11/20 | Accepted: 2026/06/29 | Published: 2026/09/4

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hazrati M, Artishedar N, Heydari M T. The innate rights to nture in housing patterns and the mental development of children in their orientation towards the digital world (case study: neighborhoods of Zanjan city). J Child Ment Health 2026; 13 (2) : 10
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