Urinary catecholamines and salivary cortisol on workdays and days off in relation to job strain among female health care providers

Abstract

Psychosocial job strain is associated with greater noradrenaline excretion over time. This finding suggests unwinding sympathetic nervous activity. The low cortisol levels of the high-strain group may indicate circadian rhythm disturbance induced by job strain. Supervisory relationships may have a particular influence for the studied occupation because the participants had more administrative contact with supervisors than support at the worksite; therefore, supervisory support may increase adrenaline excretion.