Epinephrine and cortisol responses to work: A test of the models of Frankenhaeuser and Karasek

Abstract

Both Frankenhaeuser and Karasek have put forward models describing how job demand and control influence epinephrine and cortisol levels. These models were tested in a sample of 53 women and 51 men in a variety of occupations. They were studied over one rest day and two working days. Subjects reported their perceived demand and control and their mood on each day, as well as providing urine for assessment of urinary excretion rates of epinephrine and cortisol. In men, but not women, epinephrine levels were higher on the working days than on the rest day, and demand was found to covary positively with epinephrine, supporting Frankenhaeuser's model with respect to epinephrine variation in men. However, cortisol levels were not elevated on working days compared to the rest day, and no relationship between job control and cortisol was seen which is in contradiction of Frankenhaeuser's model with respect to cortisol variation. There was some suggestion that demand was most strongly associated with elevated epinephrine in men when job control was low in accordance with Karasek's model, but there was no evidence for such an effect with respect to cortisol.

Relationship between job strain and radial arterial wave reflection in middle-aged male workers

“…Although the exact underlying mechanisms for the association between job strain and CVD have not yet been fully elucidated, one possible explanation is that high job strain and its components activate the sympathoadrenomedullary system and increase catecholamine secretion (Harenstam and Theorell, 1988;Pollard et al, 1996;Fujiwara et al, 2004). These pathophysiological changes would negatively affect functional arterial properties such as increasing peripheral arterial tone and endothelial dysfunction (Hijmering et al, 2002).…”

Physical activity, job demand–control, perceived stress–energy, and salivary cortisol in white-collar workers

“…Hence, it is reliable that the cortisol awakening response would be positively associated with high job demands and low job control. There is also literature relating saliva cortisol in the evening with job stress (Pollard et al 1996). Cortisol has a variety of metabolic effects such as availability of glucose in the blood and liberation of free fatty acid.…”

Urinary catecholamines and salivary cortisol on workdays and days off in relation to job strain among female health care providers

“…Two studies (24,25) indicated that the cortisol concentration was greater in a high job-strain group, while four studies showed an insignificant association during work (13,22,26), mental tasks in a laboratory (27), or day off (13,22). Two other studies even showed lower cortisol concentrations among participants with high job strain (28) or with high job demands (29).…”

“…With respect to adrenaline and noradrenaline, Pollard et al (13) showed that job demands were marginally positively associated with the urinary excretion of adrenaline among men with low job control (13). Two studies showed that low job control was associated with high levels of adrenaline and Job strain, catacholamines and cortisol noradrenaline during work (14,15).…”