Long-term effects of psychosocial factors of home and work on biomarkers of stress

IntroductionThe current study analyzed the relationship between psychosocial factors measured at baseline and heart rate variability (HRV) and salivary cortisol measured at baseline and again, six years later.MethodsIn 2002 and 2008, measurements of HRV and salivary cortisol at three time points were obtained from 70 healthy participants (48 women and 22 men). The associations between the psychosocial factors measured in 2002 and the dependent variables, HRV and salivary cortisol measured in 2002 and 2008, were examined using a series of repeated measures ANCOVAs. The dependent variables were as follows: the logarithmically transformed levels of total power (LnTP), high frequency power (LnHF), the ratio between low and high frequency power (LnLF/HF) and salivary cortisol (LnCortisol).ResultsFor women, high social status was associated with high LnTP, high LnHF, and low LnLF/HF. In work, lack of control was associated with low LnTP, and lack of support was associated with an increased LnLF/HF ratio. For men, high social status was associated with low LnTP, low LnHF and high LnCortisol. Greater number of hours spent doing housework was associated with both low LnLF/HF and low LnCortisol, whereas a large imbalance between effort and reward was associated with low LnTP and high LnCortisol.ConclusionDespite the small sample size, this study demonstrated that psychosocial factors impact levels of activity in the allostatic systems.

Research Highlights
► Baseline measures of psychosocial factors were of significance to HRV and cortisol measured twice with an interval of 6 years.
► The Effort Reward Model was of significance for both HRV and salivary cortisol in men but not in women.
► Association between psychosocial factors and physiological measures of stress differs between men and women.