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Johnsen AM, Theodorsson E, Broström A, Wagman P, Fransson EI. Work-related factors and hair cortisol concentrations among men and women in emergency medical services in Sweden. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12877. [PMID: 37553457 PMCID: PMC10409737 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40076-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ambulance personnel in emergency medical services are exposed to physical demands and stress during work, and an increased prevalence of ill health has been observed in this group. The aim was to compare hair cortisol concentration (HCC) among Swedish ambulance personnel with HCC in a population-based reference sample, to analyse differences between women and men, and differences due to work-related factors. Samples of hair 1 cm closest to the skin (5-10 mg) were collected and analysed for cortisol by radioimmunoassay. Moreover, the participants responded to a questionnaire regarding their work environment. The HCC among the ambulance personnel did not differ from the HCC in the population-based reference sample (median 19.2 vs. 22.2 pg/mg, p = 0.319), nor were there statistically significant differences between women and men. Furthermore, no associations were found between HCC and physical and psychosocial work demands, work stress, or rest and recovery from work. However, occupational balance was positively correlated with HCC (rp = 0.240; p = 0.044). The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for sex, age, hair bleaching, and corticosteroid treatment in a linear regression model. This study adds knowledge regarding HCC among ambulance personnel, and thus contributes to the overall picture of work environment and health for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Johnsen
- Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - Elvar Theodorsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Clinical Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anders Broström
- Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Petra Wagman
- Department of Rehabilitation, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
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La Marca R, Schneider S, Jenni G, Kühne F, Holtforth MG, Wettstein A. Associations between stress, resources, and hair cortisol concentration in teachers. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 154:106291. [PMID: 37196382 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Challenging interactions are the main source of teacher' stress in the classroom. We investigated the association of chronic stress and characteristics of teacher-student interactions with teachers' Hair Cortisol Concentration (HCC). Forty-one teachers (27 women; Mage = 39.65 ± 12.14 years; Mlesson number = 23.15 ± 3.99 lessons per week; grade: elementary, secondary, high, and vocational school teachers) participated in the present study, with participation lasting over the length of one year. HCC was assessed from a 3 cm hair segment near the scalp. Self-reported chronic stress in the last three months was further assessed using the 'Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress' (TICS). Additionally, four consecutive, same-day lectures of each teacher were videotaped and coded offline in an event sampling procedure by trained external observers. The videos were analyzed for two stressors, i.e., classroom disruptions and total student aggression, as well as two resources, i.e., teacher-student relationship and classroom management. Overall, hair samples were collected M = 120.34 days (SD = 84.39) after the distribution of the questionnaires, and M = 67.63 days (SD = 18.40) prior to the observations. Lesson number, classroom disruptions, as well as total student aggression were all significantly positively correlated with HCC. In addition, both teacher-student relationship and classroom management were significantly negatively related to HCC. With regard to self-rated chronic stress, only the TICS subscale 'Pressure to perform' was positively related to HCC. Exploratory moderation analyses revealed that an increasingly good, observed teacher-student relationship buffered the positive association between lesson number and HCC. Our findings show significant associations between HCC and mainly objectively assessable stress, supporting HCC as a biological indicator of chronic stress. In this association, a good relationship between teachers and students acts as a buffer. While the findings underline the importance of examining objective and behavioral data for better understanding the psychobiology of stress, they also support the importance of boostering teachers' (social) resources to increase their overall resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto La Marca
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Clinica Holistica Engiadina, Centre for Stress-Related Disorders, Susch, Switzerland; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Schneider
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Jenni
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Kühne
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Grosse Holtforth
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland; Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Wettstein
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Wu Q, Zhou N. Work Stress and Personal and Relational Well-Being Among Chinese College Teachers: The Indirect Roles of Sense of Control and Work-Related Rumination. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:2819-2828. [PMID: 37521568 PMCID: PMC10378462 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s418077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The association between work stress and well-being has been well documented. However, the underlying mechanism for such association is not clear, especially in terms of how work stress relates to both personal and relational well-being. Based on the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Stress Process Model, the present study examined the potential indirect roles of the sense of control and the work-related rumination in the associations between work stress and both personal and relational well-being. Methods Data were collected from 536 married Chinese university teachers (Mage = 39.40 + 7.64, 38.6% males) through an online survey. Analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling via Mplus. Results Work stress was indirectly associated with life satisfaction through (a) sense of control, (b) work-related rumination, and (c) a sequential pathway from sense of control to work-related rumination. Work stress was indirectly associated with relationship satisfaction through sense of control. Conclusion Findings suggest that sense of control would be an important linking mechanism underlying the association between work stress and college teachers' well-being. Personal well-being may be more vulnerable to work-related rumination than relational well-being. Insights for prevention and intervention efforts in enriching college teachers' well-being are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglu Wu
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nan Zhou
- Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macau, People’s Republic of China
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Falco A, Girardi D, Elfering A, Peric T, Pividori I, Dal Corso L. Is Smart Working Beneficial for Workers' Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Investigation of Smart Working, Workload, and Hair Cortisol/Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6220. [PMID: 37444069 PMCID: PMC10341102 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20136220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Building on the job demands-resources (JD-R) and allostatic load (AL) models, in the present study we examined the role of smart working (SW) in the longitudinal association between workload/job autonomy (JA) and a possible biomarker of work-related stress (WRS) in the hair-namely, the cortisol-dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA(S)) ratio-during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 124 workers completed a self-report questionnaire (i.e., psychological data) at Time 1 (T1) and provided a strand of hair (i.e., biological data) three months later (Time 2, T2). Results from moderated multiple regression analysis showed that SW at T1 was negatively associated with the hair cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio at T2. Additionally, the interaction between workload and SW was significant, with workload at T1 being positively associated with the hair cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio at T2 among smart workers. Overall, this study indicates that SW is a double-edged sword, with both positive and negative consequences on employee wellbeing. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the hair cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio is a promising biomarker of WRS. Practical implications that organizations and practitioners can adopt to prevent WRS and promote organizational wellbeing are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Falco
- FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Damiano Girardi
- FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Achim Elfering
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Peric
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Isabella Pividori
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Laura Dal Corso
- FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
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Heming M, Angerer P, Apolinário-Hagen J, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Weber J. The association between study conditions and hair cortisol in medical students in Germany - a cross-sectional study. J Occup Med Toxicol 2023; 18:7. [PMID: 37254201 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-023-00373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical students often experience high levels of stress due to adverse study conditions, which may have adverse health consequences. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has been described as a physiological marker for chronic stress and might thus help to identify students under stress and examine the study conditions being responsible for long-term physiological stress responses. This study therefore investigated the association between study conditions and HCC in a sample of medical students. METHODS Fifty-five students from a medical school in Germany completed a paper-based questionnaire and had hair samples collected between May 2020 and July 2021. Study conditions were assessed with student versions of questionnaires based on the Job-Demand-Control-Support model (StrukStud, 25 items) and Effort-Reward Imbalance model (Student ERI, nine items). HCC of two centimeters closest to the scalp were determined by a cortisol luminescence immunoassay. Linear multiple regression analyses were performed to examine associations between study conditions and HCC. RESULTS Demands (B = 0.23, p = 0.002), effort (B = 0.12, p = 0.029) and the effort-reward-ratio (B = 0.28, p = 0.007) were positively associated with HCC in separate regression analyses, adjusted for age and sex. Only the association between demands and HCC remained significant when all components of the respective questionnaire were considered in the same model (B = 0.22, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION The results suggest that adverse study conditions may be associated with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response as reflected by increased HCC. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm these cross-sectional results and examine effects of more prolonged stress due to adverse study conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Heming
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter Angerer
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jennifer Apolinário-Hagen
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Urs Markus Nater
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jeannette Weber
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Wettstein A, Jenni G, Schneider S, Kühne F, grosse Holtforth M, La Marca R. Teachers' perception of aggressive student behavior through the lens of chronic worry and resignation, and its association with psychophysiological stress: An observational study. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF EDUCATION 2023; 26:1181-1200. [PMID: 37416865 PMCID: PMC10319659 DOI: 10.1007/s11218-023-09782-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Aggressive student behavior is considered a leading risk factor for teacher stress. However, teachers' coping styles may affect how they perceive and respond to aggressive student behavior. This study tests whether teachers' perceptions of aggressive student behavior mainly mirror objectively observed aggression in presence of the teacher (as coded by external observers) or whether teachers' perception of aggressive student behavior primarily reflects teachers' avoidant coping styles, such as chronic worry and resignation. Finally, we examine whether observed and teacher-perceived aggression relates to increased vital exhaustion and psychophysiological stress among teachers (i.e., higher hair cortisol concentration). In an ambulatory assessment study, we administered self-reports to 42 Swiss teachers to assess perceived student aggression, chronic worry, resignation, and vital exhaustion. Additionally, four consecutive lessons per teacher were filmed, and aggressive student behavior in presence of the teacher was coded by four trained external observers. The concentration of cortisol was assessed in hair samples. Results showed that teacher-perceived and observed aggression were moderately associated. Observed aggression was related to teacher perceptions to a much lesser extent than teachers' avoidant coping styles, that is, chronic worry and resignation. While teacher-perceived student aggression was associated with teachers' self-reported vital exhaustion, we did not find any significant association with hair-cortisol concentration. Our findings suggest that teachers perceive student aggression through the lens of their coping styles. Teachers' dysfunctional coping styles are associated with an overestimation of student aggression. Teachers' overestimation of student aggression relates to higher levels of vital exhaustion. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and change teachers' dysfunctional coping styles to prevent a vicious cycle of dysfunctional teacher-student interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wettstein
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Jenni
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Schneider
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Kühne
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin grosse Holtforth
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roberto La Marca
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Centre for Stress-Related Disorders, Clinica Holistica Engiadina, Susch, Switzerland
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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7
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Wettstein A, Schneider S, Jenni G, Holtforth MG, Tschacher W, La Marca R. Association between workaholism, vital exhaustion, and hair cortisol concentrations among teachers: A longitudinal study testing the moderation effect of neuroticism. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1046573. [PMID: 36591097 PMCID: PMC9797672 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1046573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Workaholism in teachers is characterized by the willingness to work until exhausted and may be associated with various adverse health outcomes as well as high economic costs. The present study examines the association between workaholism, vital exhaustion (VE), and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as indicators of chronic stress. In addition, this study explores the moderating role of the personality trait neuroticism on the relationship between workaholism and chronic stress indicators, i.e., VE and HCC. Methods Forty-two Swiss teachers (28 females; M age = 39.66, SD = 11.99) completed questionnaires assessing VE (Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire), workaholism (Measure of Coping Capacity Questionnaire), and neuroticism (Big-Five Inventory). Together with VE, HCC was assessed twice, with a one year lag. Results Both workaholism and neuroticism were positively associated with VE at both time points but not with HCC. Moderation analyses revealed a positive relationship between workaholism and VE in teachers with high neuroticism, while no such association was observed in teachers with low neuroticism. No associations were found between self-reports and HCC. Discussion These findings emphasize the importance of considering individual characteristics when investigating VE. Further research is necessary to investigate the applicability of HCC as a biomarker of chronic stress in the context of work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wettstein
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland,*Correspondence: Alexander Wettstein,
| | - Sandra Schneider
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland,Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Jenni
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin grosse Holtforth
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland,Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Tschacher
- Experimental Psychology Division, University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roberto La Marca
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland,Centre for Stress-Related Disorders, Clinica Holistica Engiadina, Susch, Switzerland,Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Dickson VV, Zhanay J, Leon A, Scott L, Arabadjian M. Measurement of stress amongst working adults with cardiovascular disease. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2022; 21:848-856. [PMID: 35404401 DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvac018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of increased disability from work worldwide. Chronic stress including work-related stressors influences cardiovascular health. The purpose of this study was to assess stress levels amongst workers with CVD. The specific aims were to: (i) evaluate associations of the biological marker-hair cortisol concentration (HCC) with perceived stress and (ii) examine associations of HCC and perceived stress with sociodemographic factors and work-related factors. METHODS AND RESULTS This cross-sectional descriptive study (n = 75) of employed adults (≥ 21 age) with CVD assessed perceived stress, work-related factors including workplace support, job control, job strain, and work-life balance using valid and reliable instruments. Hair cortisol concentration was measured using collected hair samples. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, correlational, and ANOVA analysis. The sample was 64% female; 80% are White, 8% African American, 4% Asian, and 8% Hispanic; mean 12 years with CVD diagnosis. Hair cortisol concentration was significantly correlated with workplace support by co-workers (r = -0.328, P = 0.012), supervisors (r = -0.260, P = 0.05), and skill discretion (-0.297, r = 0.047) but not perceived stress. Those with better work-life balance had lower HCC (F = 3.077, P = 0.054) and lower perceived stress (F = 10.320, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Although this sample of working adults with CVD reported high levels of perceived stress; only work-related factors were significantly associated with HCC. These results suggest that there are work-related stressors that cut across jobs and workplaces that may contribute to chronic stress in working adults. Healthcare providers across clinical and occupational settings have an important role in addressing work-related stress in working adults with CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessie Zhanay
- New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Ave, #742, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alejandra Leon
- Boston College Connell School of Nursing, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Lela Scott
- Howard University College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, 400 6th St NW, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Milla Arabadjian
- New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Ave, #742, New York, NY, USA
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Schneider S, Wettstein A, Tschacher W, Torchetti L, Jenni G, Kühne F, grosse Holtforth M, La Marca R. Longitudinal Associations Between Core Self-Evaluation, Vital Exhaustion and Hair Cortisol in Teachers and the Mediating Effects of Resignation Tendency. Front Psychol 2022; 13:907056. [PMID: 35874408 PMCID: PMC9302200 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.907056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Work-related stress appears to be especially high among teachers. However, most research on teacher stress relies exclusively on teachers' self-reports. Little is known about the physiological correlates of affective stress in teachers. This longitudinal study investigates the relationship between core self-evaluation and adverse psychological and physiological stress outcomes in 42 teachers. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess core self-evaluation, vital exhaustion, and resignation tendency. The concentration of cortisol was assessed using hair samples. One year after the initial measurement, vital exhaustion and hair cortisol were assessed again. Path-analytic mediational models showed that core self-evaluation strongly predicted vital exhaustion, and resignation tendency partially mediated this relationship. However, core self-evaluation did not predict hair cortisol concentration. These findings suggest that core self-evaluation plays a crucial role in preventing vital exhaustion among teachers. A positive core self-evaluation seems beneficial for teachers' primary and secondary appraisal and an essential resource for the long-term prevention of self-reported vital exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schneider
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Wettstein
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Tschacher
- Experimental Psychology Division, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Loredana Torchetti
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Jenni
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Kühne
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin grosse Holtforth
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roberto La Marca
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Clinica Holistica Engiadina, Centre for Stress-Related Disorders, Susch, Switzerland
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Xu M, Chen D, Li H, Wang H, Yang LZ. The Cycling Brain in the Workplace: Does Workload Modulate the Menstrual Cycle Effect on Cognition? Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:856276. [PMID: 35722191 PMCID: PMC9201761 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.856276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent decades have witnessed increased research efforts to clarify how the menstrual cycle influence females’ cognitive and emotional functions. Despite noticeable progress, the research field faces the challenges of inconsistency and low generalizability of research findings. Females of reproductive ages are a heterogeneous population. Generalizing the results of female undergraduates to women in the workplace might be problematic. Furthermore, the critical cognitive processes for daily life and work deserve additional research efforts for improved ecological validity. Thus, this study investigates cognitive performance across the menstrual cycle using a sample of young nurses with similar duties. We developed a mini-computerized cognitive battery to assess four mental skills critical for nursing work: cognitive flexibility, divided attention, response inhibition, and working memory. Participants completed the cognitive battery at menses, late-follicular, and mid-luteal phases. In addition, they were classified into low- and high workload groups according to their subjective workload ratings. Our results demonstrate a general mid-luteal cognitive advantage. Besides, this study reveals preliminary evidence that workload modulates the menstrual cycle effect on cognition. Only females of low workload manifest the mid-luteal cognitive advantage on divided attention and response inhibition, implying that a suitable workload threshold might be necessary for regular neuro-steroid interactions. Thus, this study advocates the significance of research focusing on the cycling brain under workloads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Xu
- Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Dandan Chen
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Hai Li
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Hongzhi Wang
- Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Hongzhi Wang,
| | - Li-Zhuang Yang
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- Li-Zhuang Yang,
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11
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Smaliukienė R, Bekesiene S, Mažeikienė A, Larsson G, Karčiauskaitė D, Mazgelytė E, Vaičaitienė R. Hair Cortisol, Perceived Stress, and the Effect of Group Dynamics: A Longitudinal Study of Young Men during Compulsory Military Training in Lithuania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031663. [PMID: 35162686 PMCID: PMC8835136 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous research shows a nonlinear dependency between hair cortisol concentrations and perceived stress levels. This may be due to stress being targeted at the individual level despite it also being a social phenomenon which is often affected by group dynamics. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the influence of perceived stress on the hair cortisol level, considering the impact of the variables of group dynamics (interpersonal, task, and norm cohesion). Information was collected on 11 groups of, in total, 112 young men in three phases of time during their compulsory military training (covering nine months in total). The classification and regression tree (C&RT) method was used to predict hair cortisol concentrations in groups. The results show that the variability of the hair cortisol level in young men groups can be explained by perceived stress only when the groups were in formation process (47.7% normalised importance in Model 1) and when the groups were working on their final tasks (37.80% normalised importance in Model 3); meanwhile, the importance of perceived stress in explaining hair cortisol concentrations is low when the group is in a routine period of a group life-span (28.9% normalised importance in Model 2). Interpersonal cohesion (normalised importance 100% in Model 1 and 80.0% in Model 3) and task cohesion (normalised importance 78.6% in Model 2) were the most important predictors in the study area. These results point to the importance of the elements of group dynamics when it comes to explaining the nature of hair cortisol as accumulated stress biomarkers in young men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Smaliukienė
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Silo 5a, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania; (S.B.); (R.V.)
- Department of Creative Communication, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
- Correspondence:
| | - Svajone Bekesiene
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Silo 5a, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania; (S.B.); (R.V.)
| | - Asta Mažeikienė
- Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Čiurlionio st. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.); (G.L.); (D.K.); (E.M.)
| | - Gerry Larsson
- Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Čiurlionio st. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.); (G.L.); (D.K.); (E.M.)
- Department of Security, Strategy and Leadership (ISSL), Swedish Defence University, Karlstad, Drottning Kristinas väg 37, 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Public Health, Inland University College of Applied Sciences, Hamarvegen 112, 2406 Elverum, Norway
| | - Dovilė Karčiauskaitė
- Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Čiurlionio st. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.); (G.L.); (D.K.); (E.M.)
| | - Eglė Mazgelytė
- Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Čiurlionio st. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.); (G.L.); (D.K.); (E.M.)
| | - Ramutė Vaičaitienė
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Silo 5a, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania; (S.B.); (R.V.)
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Liu X, Dang W, Liu H, Song Y, Li Y, Xu W. Associations between chronic work stress and plasma chromogranin A/catestatin among healthy workers. J Occup Health 2022; 64:e12321. [PMID: 35297526 PMCID: PMC9176708 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Plasma chromogranin A (CgA) may play a critical role on linking work stress to health outcomes. The aim of our study was to investigate the associations between work stress and plasma CgA levels in healthy workers without chronic diseases. METHODS The study included 260 healthy workers from EHOP study. Work stressors were assessed by the Chinese version of the 23-item ERI-Q questionnaire. Plasma CgA and catestatin levels were measured by ELISA kits. The demographic characteristics were collected from medical records. RESULTS Among the final 260 subjects including 173 males (66.5%) and 87 females (33.5%), the average age was 37.6 ± 10.6 years old. Effort, overcommitment, and ERI were positively associated with plasma CgA level, respectively (r = 0.267, 0.319, and 0.304, all p < .001), while reward was negatively associated with CgA level (r = -0.237, p < .001). The workers with high effort, overcommitment, or ERI had significantly higher plasma CgA levels, while the workers with high rewards had significantly lower plasma CgA levels. The workers with both high overcommitment and high ERI had highest plasma CgA levels. In the linear regression analysis, after adjustment for confounders, effort, overcommitment, and ERI were respectively positively related to plasma CgA, while reward negatively related to plasma CgA. The associations between work stress and plasma catestatin was not significant. The ratio of CgA and catestatin was associated with work stress. CONCLUSIONS Work stress is associated with plasma CgA which may be play a crucial role on the pathway from chronic work stress to cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weimin Dang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Song
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weixian Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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Parent-Lamarche A, Marchand A, Saade S. Does salivary cortisol secretion mediate the association of work-related stressors with workers' depression? Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 95:477-487. [PMID: 34636976 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01792-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to verify the mediating role salivary cortisol intensity plays between work organization conditions and depression. This study simultaneously considered psychological and physiological (salivary cortisol) stress indicators on workers' depression in a single model. METHODS We relied on cluster sampling of 341 workers in 34 Quebec establishments. Five saliva samples (on awakening, 30 min after awakening, at 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and bedtime) were collected per day. The weekly collection period spanned a period of 3 days (1 day off and 2 work days). We evaluated the main effects of work organization conditions on salivary cortisol intensity and depression, as well as the mediation effect of salivary cortisol intensity between work organization conditions and depression. To adjust for design effects, the direct and indirect (mediation) associations between the variables were evaluated while accounting for the non-independence of the data. RESULTS Skill utilization and job insecurity were associated with salivary cortisol intensity, while psychological demands and job insecurity were associated with higher depression levels. Work-related variables were not found to have an indirect effect on depression via worker's salivary cortisol (AUC) intensity. CONCLUSION Work-related stressors examined in this study did not indirectly affect worker's depression levels. Additional studies are necessary to be able to identify all work-related stressors that could potentially increase worker's depression levels through salivary cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annick Parent-Lamarche
- Department of Human Resources Management, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3225, Albert-Tessier, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5A7, Canada.
| | - Alain Marchand
- School of Industrial Relations, University of Montreal, Succ. Centre-ville, C.P. 6128, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sabine Saade
- Department of Psychology, American University of Beirut, Jesup Hall, 102, Beirut, Lebanon
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Puhlmann LM, Vrtička P, Linz R, Stalder T, Kirschbaum C, Engert V, Singer T. Contemplative Mental Training Reduces Hair Glucocorticoid Levels in a Randomized Clinical Trial. Psychosom Med 2021; 83:894-905. [PMID: 34259441 PMCID: PMC8505163 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of regular contemplative mental training on endocrine and psychological indices of long-term stress. METHODS An open-label efficacy trial that comprised three distinct 3-month long modules targeting attention and interoception, socioaffective, or sociocognitive abilities through dyadic exercises and secularized meditation practices was conducted with healthy adults. Participants underwent the training for 3 or 9 months, or were assigned to a retest control cohort. Chronic stress indices were assayed at four time points: pretraining and after 3, 6, and 9 months. The main outcome measures were cortisol (HC) and cortisone (HE) concentration in hair and self-reported long-term stress. RESULTS Of 362 initially randomized individuals, 30 dropped out before study initiation (n = 332; mean [SD] age = 40.7 [9.2] years; 197 women). Hair-based glucocorticoid assays were available from n = 227, and questionnaire data from n = 326. Results from three separate training cohorts (TC1-3) revealed consistent decreases in HC and HE levels over the first three (TC3) to 6 months (TC1 and TC2) of training, with no further reduction at the final 9-month mark (baseline to end of training differences, HC, TC1: t(355) = 2.59, p = .010, contrast estimate (est.) [SE] = 0.35 [0.14]; HC, TC2: t(363) = 4.06, p < .001, est. = 0.48 [0.12]; HC, TC3: t(368) = 3.18, p = .002, est. = 0.41 [0.13]; HE, TC1: t(435) = 3.23, p = .001, est. = 0.45 [0.14]; HE, TC2: t(442) = 2.60, p = .010, est. = 0.33 [0.13]; HE, TC3: t(446) = 4.18, p < .001, est. = 0.57 [0.14]). Training effects on HC increased with individual compliance (practice frequency), and effects on both HC and HE were independent of training content and unrelated to change in self-reported chronic stress. Self-reported stress, and cortisol-to-dehydroepiandrosterone ratios as an exploratory endpoint, were also reduced, albeit less consistently. CONCLUSIONS Our results point to the reduction of long-term cortisol exposure as a mechanism through which meditation-based mental training may exert positive effects on practitioners' health.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01833104.
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Schaafsma FG, Hulsegge G, de Jong MA, Overvliet J, van Rossum EFC, Nieuwenhuijsen K. The potential of using hair cortisol to measure chronic stress in occupational healthcare; a scoping review. J Occup Health 2021; 63:e12189. [PMID: 33426766 PMCID: PMC7797775 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Workplace-based selective prevention of mental health problems currently relies on subjective evaluation of stress complaints. Hair cortisol captures chronic stress responses and could be a promising biomarker for the early identification of mental health problems. The objective was to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge on the practical value of hair cortisol in the occupational setting. METHODS We performed a scoping review of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO up to November 2019 assessing the relations of hair cortisol with work-related stressors, perceived stress, and mental health outcomes in healthy workers. RESULTS We found five longitudinal studies, of which two observed an increase in work-related stressors to be associated with higher hair cortisol, one found a relation with lower hair cortisol and one did not find a relationship. Findings of cross-sectional studies were also mixed. The one available longitudinal study regarding mental health showed that hair cortisol was not related to depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Hair cortisol measurement within occupational health research is still in its early stage and more longitudinal studies are urgently needed to clarify its relationship with work-related stressors and perceived stress before hair cortisol can be used to identify workers at risk for mental health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederieke G. Schaafsma
- Department of Public and Occupational HealthAmsterdam Public Health research instituteAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Gerben Hulsegge
- Department of Public and Occupational HealthAmsterdam Public Health research instituteAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Present address:
Sustainable Productivity and EmployabilityThe Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNOLeiden2316 ZLThe Netherlands
| | - Merel A. de Jong
- Department of Public and Occupational HealthCoronel Institute of Occupational HealthAmsterdam Public Health research instituteAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Present address:
Reinier van ArkelDen BoschThe Netherlands
| | - Joyce Overvliet
- Department of Public and Occupational HealthAmsterdam Public Health research instituteAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - Karen Nieuwenhuijsen
- Department of Public and Occupational HealthCoronel Institute of Occupational HealthAmsterdam Public Health research instituteAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Zhang Z, Lu Y, Yong X, Li J, Liu J. Effects of Occupational Radiation Exposure on Job Stress and Job Burnout of Medical Staff in Xinjiang, China: A Cross-Sectional Study. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e927848. [PMID: 33361745 PMCID: PMC7771202 DOI: 10.12659/msm.927848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the potential effects of long-term and low-dose radiation exposure on physical health have attracted considerable attention, few systematic evaluations have been reported regarding the mental health of occupational groups. This study sought to investigate the effects of occupational radiation exposure on job stress and job burnout of medical radiation staff. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using cluster random sampling, a total of 1573 medical radiation workers were initially selected from 10 hospitals in Xinjiang, China, and 1396 valid questionnaires were finally collected. Job stress and job burnout were assessed using the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire and the Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory (CMBI), respectively. RESULTS The percentages of medical radiation staff experiencing job stress and job burnout were 53.08% and 63.32%, respectively. A statistically significant difference in job stress was observed in association with age, ethnicity, professional title, marital status, radiation work type, radiation working years, family history, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and drinking (P<0.05). A statistically significant difference in job burnout was observed in association with age, sex, ethnicity, professional title, educational level, marital status, job post, radiation work type, radiation working years, family history, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity (P<0.05). Female (odds ratio [OR]=0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-0.98), senior professional title (OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.96), and radiation work types of nuclear medicine (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.07-0.33) and radiotherapy (OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.36-0.79) were protective factors, and job stress (OR=4.57, 95% CI: 3.55-5.91) was the risk factor for job burnout of medical radiation staff. CONCLUSIONS Medical radiation staff experience high levels of job stress and job burnout. The interventions of occupational physical examination, personal dose monitoring, occupational health education, and management optimization are recommended to relieve job stress and job burnout and enhance occupational health of medical radiation staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, P.R. China
| | - Yaoqin Lu
- Department of Science and Education, Wulumuqi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Urumqi, Xinjiang, P.R. China
| | - Xianting Yong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, P.R. China
| | - Jianwen Li
- Department of Equipment and Information Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, P.R. China
| | - Jiwen Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, P.R. China
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Effects of Occupational Hazards on Job Stress and Mental Health of Factory Workers and Miners: A Propensity Score Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:1754897. [PMID: 32904478 PMCID: PMC7456464 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1754897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This study is to evaluate the effects of different occupational hazards on job stress and mental health of factory workers and miners. A total of 6120 workers from factories and mining enterprises in seven districts and one district of Urumqi were determined using the stratified cluster random sampling method. The Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) were used to evaluate the effects of occupational hazard factors on job stress and mental health of workers. The propensity score analysis was used to control the confounding factors. The occupational hazards affecting job stress of workers were asbestos dust (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.09-1.55), benzene (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.10-1.41), and noise (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.22-1.59). The occupational hazards affecting the mental health of workers were coal dust (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02-1.38), asbestos dust (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.32-1.92), benzene (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13-1.47), and noise (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07-1.42). Different occupational hazards have certain influence on job stress and mental health of factory workers and miners. The enhancements in occupational hazard and risk assessment, occupational health examination, and occupational protection should be taken to relieve job stress and enhance the mental health of factory workers and miners.
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Kozusznik MW, Euwema MC. Start-up conflict and hair cortisol. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 119:104746. [PMID: 32535404 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) can be a biomarker of long-term exposure to work stress. However, research shows no consistent associations between HCC and self-reported stress. This may be due to stress being treated as a general category, without distinguishing between specific types of sources of stress, and because of a limited use of more elaborate stress assessment techniques involving intensive longitudinal designs. In this study, we analyze the relationship between perceived start-up team conflict over 11 weeks and HCC in 63 start-up team members. The results show that the level of perceived conflict is positively associated to HCC. These results draw attention to the importance of interpersonal conflict as one type of work stressors and raise awareness of its physiological effects over longer time periods in start-up teams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata W Kozusznik
- Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Madrid, Spain; Research Group Organizational and Occupational Psychology and Professional Learning, KU Leuven, Dekenstraat 2, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Martin C Euwema
- Research Group Organizational and Occupational Psychology and Professional Learning, KU Leuven, Dekenstraat 2, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Wendsche J, Ihle A, Wegge J, Penz MS, Kirschbaum C, Kliegel M. Prospective associations between burnout symptomatology and hair cortisol. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2020; 93:779-788. [PMID: 32170362 PMCID: PMC8443510 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-020-01528-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Burnout is a stress-related, psychological syndrome due to high levels of job stressors. It has been found to be related to impairments of well-being, health, and job outcomes. Alterations of glucocorticoid secretion might be a mechanism explaining the linkage between burnout and reduced psychophysical functioning. Regarding hair cortisol as indicator this assumption, so far, has been only examined in cross-sectional studies. Therefore, we aimed to compare cross-sectional and prospective associations between different burnout symptoms and hair cortisol, additionally investigating potential nonlinear associations. METHODS The prospective study sample comprises 194 employees (95% nurses) from German geriatric care. We assessed burnout symptoms at baseline (t1) and 6 months later (t2) and collected hair samples for cortisol analyses at t2. RESULTS We found significant cross-sectional and prospective nonlinear (i.e., exponential) but not linear relationships between an aggregated measure of the burnout subscales emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy and hair cortisol, even after adjusting for BMI and depressive mood. None of the single subscales of burnout was related to hair cortisol after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS Our findings further support the assumption that accumulated burnout symptoms and hypercorticolism are positively related.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Wendsche
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Fabricestrasse 8, 01099 Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Ihle
- Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Boulevard du Pont d’Arve 40, 1211 Geneve 4, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Wegge
- Faculty of Psychology, TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marlene Sophie Penz
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, TU Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Faculty of Psychology, TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Kliegel
- Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Boulevard du Pont d’Arve 40, 1211 Geneve 4, Switzerland
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The world is experiencing the evolving situation associated with the outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) virus, and there is more of need than ever for stress management and self-care. In this article, we will define the physiological, psychological and social aspects, stages, and components of stress reactions in the context of COVID-19, review the relevant literature on stress reactions, and offer some guidance on how to help patients mitigate the physiological and psychological impact of the pandemic through resilience-building techniques. RECENT FINDINGS There is continued evidence that the fight or flight response involves activation throughout the body at physiological, biochemical and immune levels. This response can be mitigated through increasing parasympathetic nervous system activation as well as cognitive and behavioral interventions. SUMMARY This article will review the stress, provide a theoretical layout to predict upcoming response, and offer clinicians some practical interventions to employ as the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
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Bardaquim VA, Santos SVMD, Dias EG, Dalri RDCDMB, Mendes AMDOC, Gallani MC, Robazzi MLDCC. Stress and cortisol levels among members of the nursing team. Rev Bras Enferm 2020; 73 Suppl 1:e20180953. [PMID: 32490947 DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the characteristics of hospital nursing professionals with the presence of stress, and to associate this with capillary cortisol. METHOD A cross-sectional, exploratory and correlational study, conducted in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 164 nursing professionals participated; the Perceived Stress Scale was administered, and hair samples were obtained for laboratory analysis. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (2010), and then into Microsoft Office and the R software, version 3.2.2. RESULTS High levels of capillary cortisol in 47% of participants suggest the presence of stress, but no statistical significance between cortisol and stress levels were found. CONCLUSIONS Stress and capillary cortisol levels were indicative of stress among nursing professionals; however, no association between them was found, although the values found were above those recommended.
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Sugaya N, Izawa S, Ogawa N, Shirotsuki K, Nomura S. Association between hair cortisol and diurnal basal cortisol levels: A 30-day validation study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 116:104650. [PMID: 32276241 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to validate the association between hair cortisol and 30-day integrated salivary cortisol levels. Additionally, the intra-individual stability of the hair cortisol and the association between hair cortisol and salivary cortisol in several time domains were systematically explored. Twenty-four adults (15 men and 9 women, mean age: 22.7 ± 2.8 years) were asked to collect three saliva samples per day for 30 days, immediately after awakening (time 1), 30 min after awakening (time 2), and at bedtime (time 3). The hair sample was taken from the posterior vertex as close as possible to the scalp at the end of the 30-day study period. The area under the curve based on times 1 and 3 showed that cortisol levels in the 1 cm hair segment closest to the scalp were moderately correlated with the 30-day salivary cortisol levels (r = 0.41, p = 0.047). However, this correlation was not observed for the cortisol awakening response, diurnal slope, or other metrics in different time domains. The mean salivary cortisol at time 3 was significantly correlated with hair cortisol (r = 0.42, p = 0.041). Intra-individual stability of the hair cortisol was maintained for at least 4 months. Hair cortisol may reflect basal cortisol levels more substantially over longer periods (longer than 1 month and for at least 4 month), thus reflecting longitudinal cortisol production, rather than the day-to-day temporal cortisol response. Salivary cortisol is an ideal metric for short-term or day-to-day stress response. Researchers should select suitable metrics, such as hair cortisol for basal level (or trait) or salivary cortisol for response (or state), depending on the study objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagisa Sugaya
- Unit of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Shuhei Izawa
- Occupational Stress Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 6-21-1 Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 214-8585, Japan.
| | - Namiko Ogawa
- Advanced Research Center for Human Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1192, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Shirotsuki
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Musashino University, 3-3-3 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8181, Japan.
| | - Shusaku Nomura
- Faculty of Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan.
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Penz M, Siegrist J, Wekenborg MK, Rothe N, Walther A, Kirschbaum C. Effort-reward imbalance at work is associated with hair cortisol concentrations: Prospective evidence from the Dresden Burnout Study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 109:104399. [PMID: 31394489 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress experienced at work is considered a major health challenge for modern societies. In fact there is ample evidence that deleterious work environments, based on high efforts in relation to few rewards, substantially augment the risk for a number of highly prevalent diseases (e.g. ischemic heart disease, stroke). One potential pathway mediating these associations involves the stress-related activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis with proceeding alterations in the secretion of its main effector hormone cortisol. In this study we assessed a prospective, two-year effect of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) on cortisol secretion, based on a sub sample (N = 150; mean ± SD age: 42.4 ± 11.1; 84.0% female) of the ongoing Dresden Burnout Study (DBS). The provided ERI measures were collected as part of the online baseline and first follow up assessment. Further, cortisol secretion patterns over prolonged periods of time were evaluated in three consecutive years of laboratory baseline and follow up visits. Our findings suggest prospective associations between ERI and cortisol, indicating a blunted cortisol secretion in response to long-term work stress (p < 0.001). Given the regulatory properties of cortisol on various central and peripheral target tissues (e.g. cardiovascular system, liver, adipose tissue), a long-term decrease of cortisol availability can be hypothesized to cause multiple health-challenging consequences. Based on our findings, providing work environments where high efforts are always linked with high rewards have to be considered an important issue for employees health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Penz
- Institute of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.
| | - Johannes Siegrist
- Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Rothe
- Institute of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- Institute of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Institute of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
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24
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Pereira GM, Becker J, Soares NM, de Azeredo LA, Grassi-Oliveira R, Rysdyk A, de Almeida RMM. Hair cortisol concentration, cognitive, behavioral, and motor impairment in multiple sclerosis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:1145-1154. [PMID: 31250284 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02040-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the demyelinated inflammatory processes that occur within the central nervous system. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) dysfunctions have been associated with the triggering or increase in MS symptoms. We thus aimed at evaluating motor and behavioral functions, planning skills, processing speed, and their relationship with stress through measuring hair cortisol concentration from patients with MS. The sample was composed of 40 volunteers that were clinically diagnosed with MS, along with 33 healthy adults. Evaluations included: Clinical Evaluation Form, Mini-Mental State Exam, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Measure, Expanded Disability Status Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Zoo Map task, and a hair sample to analyze cortisol levels in the last 30 days. MS patients showed highly elevated hair cortisol levels in comparison to the control group (p = 0.048). All groups presented some degree of depressive and anxiety symptoms, aside from considerable perceived stress levels. The MS group presented deficits in gait, balance, manual skills and processing speed, and this was particularly so in individuals with moderate impairments when compared to control group (p < 0.001). Individuals with MS spent less time planning on ZooMap1 (p = 0.024) and made more mistakes (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between hair cortisol and the symptoms we assessed. However, depressive symptoms and anxiety were related to perceived stress, and higher hair cortisol suggests a change in levels in the HPA axis in MS. Nevertheless, future studies will be necessary to further understand how basal hair cortisol is related to MS symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Magalhães Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2400, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. .,Instituto de Psicologia, Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento (LPNeC), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Sala 116, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. .,Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.
| | - Jefferson Becker
- Escola de Medicina, Neurologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil.,Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Nayron Medeiros Soares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2400, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Instituto de Psicologia, Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento (LPNeC), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Sala 116, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Lucas Araújo de Azeredo
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Escola de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Escola de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Andreo Rysdyk
- Instituto de Psicologia, Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento (LPNeC), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Sala 116, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Martins de Almeida
- Instituto de Psicologia, Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento (LPNeC), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Sala 116, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.
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25
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Kress V, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Kopp M, Förster A, Altus C, Schier C, Wimberger P, Kirschbaum C, von Soest T, Weidner K, Junge-Hoffmeister J, Garthus-Niegel S. The Impact of Parental Role Distributions, Work Participation, and Stress Factors on Family Health-Related Outcomes: Study Protocol of the Prospective Multi-Method Cohort "Dresden Study on Parenting, Work, and Mental Health" (DREAM). Front Psychol 2019; 10:1273. [PMID: 31263435 PMCID: PMC6584823 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dresden Study on Parenting, Work, and Mental Health (“DResdner Studie zu Elternschaft, Arbeit, und Mentaler Gesundheit”, DREAM) aims to prospectively investigate the relationship between parental work participation, role distribution, stress factors, and their effects on perinatal outcomes and long-term family mental and somatic health in a community sample targeting N = 4,000 individuals, i.e., 2,000 couples, expecting a child and residing in Dresden, Germany (interim sample of N = 1,410 participants, recruitment ongoing). Various questionnaires are completed at four measurement points from pregnancy to 2 years postpartum (prolongation into middle childhood planned). Applying a multi-method approach, long-term endocrinological data (analyses of hair cortisol concentrations and other endogenous hormones, “DREAMHAIR”) and qualitative interview data (regarding gender role attitudes and distribution of domestic work, child care, and paid employment; “DREAMTALK”) are obtained. In this study protocol, the theoretical background, methods, and preliminary results considering sociodemographic characteristics during pregnancy and birth-related factors at 8 weeks postpartum are presented. Additionally, there is a focus on our endocrinological sub-study DREAMHAIR. In this sub-study currently comprising N = 152 participants, i.e., 88 families (recruitment ongoing), we want to gain knowledge on the transgenerational processes of stress regulation and psychopathology in the whole family by analyzing hair cortisol concentrations in both parents and children during the course from pregnancy (or after birth regarding children) to at least 2 years postpartum. By comparing data of the community sample to a clinical sample of mothers with postpartum mental disorders, their children, and their partners during the period between admission and discharge from a mother-baby unit and post-treatment (“DREAMMBU”), the course of mothers' psychopathology, parent-infant interaction, and infant regulation disorders with special regard to long-term endocrine correlates will be examined. With previous studies neglecting the fathers or partners involved, a major advantage of DREAM is the use of a multi-method and multi-level approach by examining the whole family in a longitudinal design. Therefore, the DREAM study will contribute to a better understanding of the role of social, work, and stress factors for mental and somatic health and its long-term endocrine correlates in the natural course of becoming a family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Kress
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Institute of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie Kopp
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anke Förster
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Caroline Altus
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Caroline Schier
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Institute of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tilmann von Soest
- Department of Psychology, PROMENTA Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Juliane Junge-Hoffmeister
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susan Garthus-Niegel
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Child Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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26
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Braig S, Stalder T, Kirschbaum C, Rothenbacher D, Genuneit J. The association of potential stressors with hair steroids in parents with small children: The Ulm SPATZ health study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 102:37-43. [PMID: 30513498 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported weak associations between questionnaire-based stress measurements and hair steroids. A stronger relationship may exist in highly stressed subpopulations or with stress brought up by novel or unpredictable situations. In the Ulm SPATZ Health Study, conducted in Ulm, Germany, baseline recruitment 04/2012 to 05/2013, we analyzed data of families enrolled shortly after childbirth. Mothers completed standardized questionnaires assessing sociodemographic, health- and family-life-related factors, and the Screening Scale of the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress (TICS) at 6 months (T2) and 12 months postpartum (T3). Their current partners completed SSCS-TICS and an Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Questionnaire obtained at 6 weeks postpartum (T1). Partners (n = 375 at T1) and mothers (n = 654 at T2 or T3) provided a 2 to 3-cm hair segment for hair analysis. Adjusted linear and cubic spline regressions were used to analyze (non-)linear relationships between potential stressors and hair cortisol (hairF) and hair cortisone (hairE) concentrations as well as the respective change scores between 12 months and 6 months. Lacking social recognition and high paternal work overload were significantly associated with paternal hairF in cubic spline models (test for overall association, chi2 = 8.24, p = 0.041, chi2 = 8.41, p = 0.038) but not in linear models. However, the association between ERI and hairF (chi2 = 7.54, p = 0.059) was marginally significant. Maternal education was related to maternal hairF and hairE at T2. No association was observed between maternal postpartum employment and hair steroids at T2 or T3. Conversely, we could show a relationship between some change scores of stress and hairE in mothers. Considering non-linearity and family-related stressors, there are few associations between questionnaire-based stress measurements and hairF or hairE. Novelty of stressors was not shown to be a relevant factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Braig
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - T Stalder
- Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - C Kirschbaum
- Department of Psychology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - D Rothenbacher
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - J Genuneit
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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27
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Wu H, Zhou K, Xu P, Xue J, Xu X, Liu L. Associations of perceived stress with the present and subsequent cortisol levels in fingernails among medical students: a prospective pilot study. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2018; 11:439-445. [PMID: 30349410 PMCID: PMC6183660 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s181541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cortisol in fingernails could retrospectively reflect cumulative stress over a long period. However, the association between fingernail cortisol and perceived stress needs to be validated. This exploratory study aimed to investigate the associations of perceived stress with the present and subsequent cortisol levels in fingernails of the subjective stress measurement among medical students. Methods Students were recruited from a medical university in Shenyang, China. The final sample consisted of 51 students (16 men, 35 women). On the Day 30 of our data and fingernail collection procedure, the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale was used to measure perceived stress. Fingernail samples were collected twice, on Days 15 (denoted as FD15) and 45 (denoted as FD45) of the procedure, and participants were asked to grow fingernails for 15 days in each collection. Cortisol was determined by an enzyme immunoassay method using the ELISA kit. Multiple linear regression was performed to examine the association between perceived stress and cortisol level. The Bonferroni correction was made for multiple comparisons. Results The level of cortisol was 5.65 pg/mg (SD =1.88) for FD15 and 5.41 pg/mg (SD =1.63) for FD45. Perceived stress was not associated with the cortisol level of FD15 (β=−0.014, P=0.924), but it was significantly and positively associated with the cortisol level of FD45 (β=0.436, P=0.003), which remained significant after Bonferroni correction. The associations between fingernail cortisol and demographic variables (gender, age, BMI, and physical activity) were not significant. Conclusion This study was the first to investigate fingernail cortisol in China. Perceived stress was positively associated with the subsequent cortisol levels in fingernails, but not the present. The findings suggested that fingernail cortisol could indicate stress exposure in the past. Furthermore, a simple and easy self-reported measure could reflect cumulative stress as measured by fingernail cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wu
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China,
| | - Kexin Zhou
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China,
| | - Peiyao Xu
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China,
| | - Jiayu Xue
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China,
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China,
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