The relation between neuroendocrine reactivity and recovery from different natures of work, subjective need for recovery, and health status

Judith K. Sluiter, Monique H.W. Frings-Dresen, Allard J. Van Der Beek

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperAcademic

Abstract

A field study was performed to assess the relations between nature of work and work characteristics, neuroendocrine reactivity and recovery, and health status. The urinary excretion of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol was examined in fifty-nine male workers between 25 and 55 years of age during five consecutive days; three working days and two days off-work. The workers differed in the nature of their main work demands, i.e. mental, mental/physical, and physical work. Personal information and subjective perception of work characteristics, need for recovery, and health status were assessed by self-report through validated scales in a questionnaire. Multi-level analyses and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to assess aforementioned relations. A main effect of nature of work was found in the neuroendocrine reactivity during and recovery from work in which the combined mental/physical group showed the least favourable reactions. Overall, half of the variation in subjective need for recovery and 54% of the variation in the level of health complaints was explained by a model with job demands, social relations at work, BMI, age, as well as by neuroendocrine measures of adrenaline and cortisol.

Original languageEnglish
Pages220-223
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 2000
EventProceedings of the XIVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association and 44th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Association, 'Ergonomics for the New Millennnium' - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 29 Jul 20004 Aug 2000

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the XIVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association and 44th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Association, 'Ergonomics for the New Millennnium'
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period29/07/20004/08/2000

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