Abstract
Evidence is limited concerning the influences of high psychological job strain and low social support at work on daytime secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which demonstrates anti-cortisol effects. We carried out a cross-sectional study to examine the associations of job strain and social support with daytime secretion amounts of DHEA and cortisol and daytime variation of the cortisol-to-DHEA ratio (C/D ratio) in healthy female workers. Study subjects comprised 115 healthy female nursery school teachers. Area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCG) of salivary DHEA, cortisol and C/D ratio was calculated for estimation of daytime secretion and variation. Social support scores were negatively associated with daytime DHEA secretion (standardized partial regression coefficient = −0.343, P < 0.001 by multiple linear regression analysis). This association remained significant when daytime cortisol secretion was additionally adjusted. Social support was not associated with daytime variation of the C/D ratio. Significant association between social support and daytime cortisol secretion was not confirmed. Job strain was not associated with DHEA, cortisol or the C/D ratio. In summary, we found that daytime DHEA secretion was increased in healthy workers with low social support, perhaps independent of daytime cortisol secretion.
Highlights
A few studies have evaluated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)[35,36,37] to determine the physiological mechanism underlying chronic stress responses to high job strain and low social support
In the present cross-sectional study, we examined the associations of job strain and social support with daytime secretion amounts of DHEA and cortisol and daytime variation of the C/D ratio in healthy Japanese female nursery school teachers
Job strain was not associated with DHEA, cortisol or the C/D ratio
Summary
A few studies have evaluated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)[35,36,37] to determine the physiological mechanism underlying chronic stress responses to high job strain and low social support. A study of female hospital personnel did not find a significant association between job strain and fasting morning plasma DHEA38. As previous studies have only measured morning DHEA or DHEAS levels, it is unclear whether high job strain and low social support affect daytime secretion of DHEA and daytime variation of the C/D ratio. Considering the pharmacological effects of cortisol and DHEA, we speculate that a compensatory increase in daytime DHEA secretion may occur in healthy workers to suppress the effects of increased daytime cortisol secretion due to high job strain and low social support: as a result, the C/D ratio remains constant. In the present cross-sectional study, we examined the associations of job strain and social support with daytime secretion amounts of DHEA and cortisol and daytime variation of the C/D ratio in healthy Japanese female nursery school teachers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
