Nivel jerárquico, dominancia y niveles de cortisol salival como parámetro de estrés

The objective of the present study was to assess if there are different levels of cortisol in university workers according to their position in the institutional hierarchy. Based on previous studies, which found in primates and humans that subordinate individuals have more cortisol than dominant individuals in stable societies and in a situation without stressors in the environment, we sought to replicate these studies in the context of a university. The participants were 144 employees, 89 men and 55 women, who were executives and leaders, middle managers and operating personnel. Two salivary samples were taken in the afternoon with a 30 min interval and averaged. The results showed that middle managers have higher levels of cortisol that leaders, but these in turn have more cortisol than the operating staff. Discussed on how the institutional social interactions and the dimension of power in these interactions, regulate the stress levels of individuals working in this context. Comments are concerning to some of the methodological implications for this kind of measures, as well as its practical implications.