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Perceived work overload and chronic worrying predict weekend-weekday differences in the cortisol awakening response
Wolff Schlotz1, Juliane Hellhammer, Peter Schulz
1University of Trier, Department of Psychobiology, Trier, Germany. schlotz@uni-trier.de
Psychosomatic Medicine
|March 25, 2004
Summary
Cortisol awakening response differs between weekdays and weekends, particularly for individuals with high work overload and worry. This highlights the importance of considering the day of assessment in stress studies.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Stress Research
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Cortisol awakening response (CAR) is linked to work-related stress.
- CAR exhibits moderate day-to-day stability but can vary with situational factors.
- Previous research suggests situation-dependent variance in CAR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in CAR between weekdays and weekend days.
- To determine if chronic work overload and worrying explain these differences.
- To assess the impact of work stress on diurnal cortisol patterns.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples collected immediately upon awakening and 30, 45, 60 minutes post-awakening over 6 consecutive days.
- Participants (n=219) began sampling on a Saturday.
- Standardized questionnaire assessed perceived chronic work overload and worrying.
Main Results:
- A significant difference in CAR was observed between weekdays and weekend days.
- Higher levels of chronic work overload and worrying correlated with a stronger CAR on weekdays.
- These associations remained significant after controlling for sex, wake time, and sleep duration.
Conclusions:
- The day of cortisol assessment is critical in psychoendocrinological stress research.
- Weekend-weekday differences in CAR are influenced by chronic stress levels.
- Findings underscore the impact of work stress on physiological stress markers.
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