Sixty healthy non-smoking white collar employees, aged 30-50, from a large corporation in Sweden participated in the study. There were four groups: 15 male and 15 female middle managers, 15 male and I5 female clerical workers. Each participant was examined individually with regard to cardiovascular and neuroendocrine functions and self-reports for 12 consecutive hours under each of two conditions: (1) a normal day at work (9 a.m. -5 p.m.) and after work (6-9 p.m.), and (2) for the same time period during work-free conditions at home. In addition, everyone was given a videotaped type A-interview and a general health check-up including blood-lipid determination. Attitudes towards work, total workload (including responsibilities outside the paid work) and sex role identity were examined by questionnaires. As expected, all groups showed a moderate increase in cardiovascular and neuroendocrine activity during the day at work. After work, however, interesting group differences emerged, suggesting slower unwinding in female managers. Differences related to occupational level and/ or sex were found for autonomy and social support at work, competitiveness, sex role and reported corifict between demands from paid work and other responsibilities. The stress profie of the female managers was considered in terms of possible long-term health risks.

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Effects of abstaining temporarily from tobacco smoking were studied in a group of habitual smokers during a 15-day period, during which they smoked normally for the first 5 days, refrained from smoking the next 5 days, and smoked again during the last 5 days. Results were evaluated against values obtained in a nonabstaining group of smokers. Adrenaline and noradrenaline excretion decreased, skin temperature increased, and hand steadiness was improved when the subjects stopped smoking. Submaximal, physical work tests were performed once each period. No changes occurred in perceived exertion for abstainers during work, in spite of a reduced heart rate. There were only minor differences between abstaining and smoking subjects with regard to performance in the cognitive tests. Irritation, depression, lack of concentration, sleep disturbances, anxiety, tension, and restlessness were frequently reported as abstinence symptoms. The results indicate a decrease in arousal level during abstinence.

Alcohol intoxication and hangover were studied in 12 healthy male subjects who participated in three 18-h experimental sessions; two sessions in which they consumed 1.43 g alcohol/kg body weight as mixed beverages together with food, and one control session when mineral water was substituted for the alcoholic beverages. In one of the alcohol sessions they received chlormethiazole, 1 g at bedtime and 0.5 g early the following morning, in the other, they were given placebo tablets. The following variables were studied: blood-alcohol concentration; blood pressure; heart rate; blood lactate; blood pyruvate; urinary catecholamines (only during hangover); psychomotor and cognitive capacities; as well as subjective reactions. During intoxication, heart rate and lactate-pyruvate ratio were significantly increased and performance efficiency was significantly deteriorated in comparison with the control condition. During hangover, heart rate, blood pressure, and lactate-pyruvate ratio were significantly elevated, and cognitive performance was still affected, in some tests to a significant degree. During this stage there was a great variation between subjects as regards subjective hangover. Chlormethiazole was found to lower blood pressure and adrenaline output and, furthermore, to relieve unpleasant physical symptoms, but did not affect fatigue and drowsiness. The cognitive test results were only slightly influenced by this agent, while psychomotor performance was significantly impaired. Subjects with severe subjective hangover seemed to benefit more from the chlormethiazole treatment than subjects with a mild hangover.

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