Study: Texting doesn't relieve stress

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- A person who is stressed and sends a text message rather than picking up the phone or seeking comfort in person doesn't get satisfaction, a U.S. study says.

Anthropologist Leslie Seltzer of the University of Wisconsin-Madison says previous studies have confirmed both phone conversations and face-to-face talks with mothers triggered hormonal responses in their daughters, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday.

The study recorded a drop in cortisol, generally linked to stress, and a rise in oxytocin, linked to pleasure.

In a new study, 64 girls between the ages of 7 and 12 were asked to solve difficult math problems in front of three unknown adults, a situation designed to raise stress levels.

Researchers measured changes in their oxytocin and cortisol levels after the stressed girls were allowed to either contact their mothers by phone, have a face-to-face conversation with them or send their mothers a text message.

Among the girls who texted their mothers, the comfort hormone levels barely changed, researchers found.