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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature
Published on: June 19, 2019
An investigation into the relationship between salivary cortisol, stress, anxiety and depression
Kav Vedhara1, Jeremy Miles, Paul Bennett
1Department of Experimental Psychology, Human Stress Research Unit, University of Bristol, 8 Woodland Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1TN, UK. k.vedhara@bristol.ac.uk
Abstract:
This study examined the relationship between indices of self-reported emotional distress and absolute versus change in cortisol levels. Fifty-four women attending a diagnostic breast clinic completed scales measuring stress, anxiety and depression and provided five saliva samples over the course of a single day for the measurement of cortisol. No significant relationships were evident between absolute cortisol levels and the distress measures. Analysis of the change in cortisol levels revealed a non-linear interaction effect between stress and anxiety and time of day. There was a non-linear relation between time of day and cortisol levels, but the extent of the non-linearity was dependent upon levels of stress and anxiety, not depression. A relationship was apparent between indices of distress and change in cortisol levels, but not absolute levels of the hormone.
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