A Dose-Response Curve Describing the Relationship Between Urban Tree Cover Density and Self-Reported Stress Recovery. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Bin; Li, Dongying; Larsen, Linda; Sullivan, William C.
• Is Part Of: Environment and behavior. Volume 48:Number 4(2016:May)
• Page Start: 607
• Page End: 629
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: dose-response curve -- tree cover density -- stress recovery -- Visual Analog Scale -- 3-D visual media; Human ecology -- Periodicals; 304.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0013916514552321
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-9165

Abstract

Although it is well established that viewing nature can help individuals recover from a stressful experience, the dose-response curve describing the relationship between tree cover density and stress recovery is totally unclear. A total of 160 participants engaged in a standard Trier Social Stress Test to induce stress. Participants were then randomly assigned to watch 1 of 10 three-dimensional videos of street scenes that varied in the density of tree cover (from 2% to 62%). Participants completed a Visual Analog Scale questionnaire at three points in the experiment. Analysis revealed a positive, linear association between the density of urban street trees and self-reported stress recovery, adjusted R 2 = .05, F (1, 149) = 8.53, p < .01. This relationship holds after controlling for gender, age, and baseline stress levels. A content analysis of participants' written narratives revealed a similar but even stronger association. These findings suggest that viewing tree canopy in communities can significantly aid stress recovery and that every tree matters.