Effects of Short-term Urban Forest Experiences by Season on Stress and Affective Response of University Students

Background and objective: University students are in a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood, which is the time to experience new environments and roles in university. Accordingly, they may experience a great deal of stress and emotional anxiety. This study examined the changes in stress, low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) component, and affect of university students after short-term urban forest experience by season.Methods: This study was conducted in an urban forest located on the campus of Chungbuk National University. A heart rate variability (HRV) monitor and the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) were used in research conducted by season with approximately 30 male and female university students.Results: In spring, the stress of female students and HF of male students decreased, and positive affect increased and negative affect decreased in male and female students. The stress of male students decreased in summer, and negative affect of female students decreased in fall. In winter, the stress and positive affect of male students increased.Conclusion: In this study, short-term forest experiences by season led to differences in stress, LF, HF, and affective responses of university students. The results of this study can be used to create urban forests and select the best period for effectively using urban forests to relieve stress and refresh the emotions of university students.