Abstract
BackgroundThe objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of personality traits in explaining the relationship between workplace stressors and variations in salivary cortisol concentrations.MethodMultilevel regression analyses were performed on a sample of 401 employees from 34 Quebec firms. Saliva samples were collected five times a day (on awakening, 30 min after awakening, and at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and bedtime). Sample collection was repeated on three days (1 rest day, 2 working days). Work-related variables comprised skill utilization, decision authority, psychological demands, physical demands, job insecurity, irregular schedule, number of working hours, and social support from coworkers and supervisors. Personality traits comprised self-esteem, locus of control, and the Big Five.ResultsCortisol levels at awakening and 30 min later were significantly higher for work days than for days off. Psychological demands and job insecurity were associated with lower cortisol levels at bedtime. Also, self-esteem moderated the relationship between physical demands and cortisol levels at awakening and 4 p.m. Agreeableness was associated with lower cortisol levels at awakening and at 2 p.m. and further moderated the relationship between number of hours worked and cortisol at 2 p.m. Neuroticism moderated the relationship between coworker support and cortisol at bedtime.ConclusionSpecific working conditions and certain personality traits are associated with variations in salivary cortisol concentrations. In addition, certain personality traits moderate the relationship between stressors and salivary cortisol concentrations. In conclusion, salivary cortisol concentrations at work seem to be modulated in part by personality traits.
Highlights
The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of personality traits in explaining the relationship between workplace stressors and variations in salivary cortisol concentrations
This study examines how personality traits moderate the relationship between workplace organization conditions and cortisol secretion in a sample of 401 employees employed in 34 Canadian workplaces
Our study provides partial support for Hypothesis 1 (H1), which posits that working conditions contribute directly to salivary cortisol secretions
Summary
The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of personality traits in explaining the relationship between workplace stressors and variations in salivary cortisol concentrations. The stress model assumes that exposure to environmental stressors (e.g., work, family, community) induces an endocrine (physiological) response to stress in the form of cortisol secretion. Salivary cortisol is sensitive and reactive to environmental stressors [1,2,3], it is not well known how personality traits could act to modify the relationship between workplace stressors and physiological stress responses. This study examines how personality traits moderate the relationship between workplace organization conditions and cortisol secretion in a sample of 401 employees employed in 34 Canadian workplaces.
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