Abstract
This article reports the results of a psychophysiological study of occupational distress among 14 male executives using measures of salivary cortisol - a 'stress' hormone. Rest-day baseline measures were tested against workday data (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The study found that, relative to a rest-day baseline, cortisol excretion was significantly higher at work on Wednesday (but not on Monday or Friday) and on evenings after work. The results pointed to the situational nature of the cortisol responses and demonstrated the complex interaction between individuals and their home and work environments. Relationships between cortisol excretion and illness reporting are also discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 135-141 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
Keywords
- Cortisol
- Illness reporting
- Managers
- Psychological effects
- Stress