Built environment and active commuting to school: the moderating effects of psychosocial factors and neighborhood safety in girls and boys

There are mixed findings on the relation between built environment attributes and active commuting to and from school (ACS). In addition to methodological differences in assessing the built environment, some of these mixed findings may be due to moderating variables in the associations between built environment and ACS. Hence, the present study aimed to analyze whether the perception of psychosocial variables and neighborhood safety moderated associations between built environment attributes and ACS among female and male adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Valencia, Spain, among 465 adolescents (aged 14–18 years). Built environment attributes of the home neighborhood were evaluated using geographic information system data. Socio-demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, neighborhood perceived safety, and ACS were self-reported by adolescents using validated scales. Mixed effects regression models were used to estimate associations. The analyses were carried out separately in girls and boys. The strongest associations of residential density, public transportation density, and greenspace area with ACS were found among those adolescents with the highest level of decisional balance, social support from siblings/peers, and safety related to pedestrian infrastructure. However, there were substantial sex differences found in patterns of moderation. Present findings support the ecological model principle of interactions across levels of influence when analyzing ACS correlates in adolescents. These findings suggest multilevel interventions may be needed to promote ACS, and the different needs of girls and boys should be considered. • The relation of the built environment with ACS was moderated by diverse factors. • The strongest relations were for residential density, public transit and greenspace. • Moderators included: decisional balance, peer support and neighborhood safety. • There were substantial sex differences found in patterns of moderation. • Multilevel interventions may be needed to promote active commuting to/from school.