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Cortisol secretion throughout the day, perceptions of the work environment, and negative affect
E K Hanson1, C J Maas, T F Meijman
1Utrecht University.
Summary
Work stress models like effort-reward imbalance do not directly impact cortisol levels. However, momentary negative mood is linked to cortisol, suggesting a nuanced relationship with stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Occupational Health Psychology
Background:
- The effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model is a prominent framework for understanding work stress.
- Cortisol, a key biomarker of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is often used to assess physiological stress responses.
- Previous research has explored the link between work stress and cortisol, but findings remain complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of single and multiple occasion work stress variables on salivary cortisol.
- To examine the relationship between the effort-reward imbalance model constructs and cortisol levels.
- To explore the role of momentary negative mood and other situational factors on cortisol secretion.
Main Methods:
- Multilevel analysis was employed to differentiate between single and multiple occasion measurements of work stress.
- Salivary cortisol was measured, and explanatory variables included ERI, need for control, negative affect, momentary negative mood, Momentary Demand-Satisfaction Ratio (MD-SR), sleep quality, and workload.
- The effect of time of day on cortisol was controlled for.
Main Results:
- Momentary negative mood, but not trait negative affect, was positively associated with ambulatory cortisol levels.
- Variables from the effort-reward imbalance model (effort, reward, need for control) and MD-SR did not significantly affect cortisol.
- Time of day influenced cortisol, but no interaction was found with momentary negative mood. Individual variability in cortisol patterns and the impact of sleep quality were observed.
Conclusions:
- The study does not support the hypothesis that the effort-reward imbalance model directly influences short-term cortisol changes or HPA axis activity.
- Momentary negative mood emerges as a potential, albeit qualified, determinant of HPA axis activity, as indicated by cortisol measurements.
- Further research is needed to identify sources of individual variability in cortisol secretion and stress responses.