Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Nov 2024)
A study of the relationship between human thermal comfort and negative emotions in quarantine environments
Abstract
The thermal environment is closely related to emotion. The thermal environment affects emotional experiences and can enhance them by adjusting its parameters. This study examines three common negative emotions—boredom, anxiety, and irritability—in a controlled environment. We experimentally investigated how these emotions affect thermal sensation, thermal comfort, and physiological parameters under varying temperature and humidity conditions. Results indicated that emotions significantly influenced thermal sensation (TSV) and thermal comfort (TCV) under moderate to high humidity conditions, demonstrating how temperature and humidity moderate the relationship between emotion and thermal comfort. Changes in physiological parameters further reveal how the interaction between emotion and environmental conditions affects physiological responses. A regression model was created using the response surface method to analyze thermal comfort in relation to temperature and humidity under different emotions, identifying the optimal indoor conditions as 22.8 °C and 46.7 % humidity. These findings help reduce negative emotions, improve thermal comfort, enhance our understanding of human thermal comfort, and provide scientific guidance for managing negative emotions during public health emergencies.