Variations in Salivary Stress Biomarkers and Their Relationship with Anxiety, Self-Efficacy and Sleeping Quality in Emergency Health Care Professionals

Abstract

Hospital healthcare workers of emergency departments (EDs) face a variety of occupational stressors on a daily basis. We have recently published that emergency professionals display increased salivary levels of α-amylase and dehydroepiandrosterone during the working day. The pattern of these markers may suggest a counteracting mechanism of dehydroepiandrosterone against the stress reflected by amylase increases. In order to verify this hypothesis, we have analysed different psychological aspects in the same group of healthcare professionals through different tests related to behaviours resulting from stress. These include the state-trait anxiety inventory, the self-efficacy test and the sleeping quality questionnaire. The tests were provided at the beginning of the working day and collected at the end. STAI scores (trait and state) were indicative of no anxiety. Self-efficacy scores were considered optimal, as well as those from the sleeping quality questionnaire. This is supported by the modest correlation between STAI scores and salivary levels of α-amylase and dehydroepiandrosterone. In conclusion, the emergency professionals of the studied hospitals seem to have adequate work management. Altogether it means that the stress generated during work performance is controlled, allowing a correct adaptation to the demanding situations undergone in emergency departments.

Professional Quality of Life of Healthcare Workers in Hospital Emergency Departments

“…These results indicate that the working pre-pandemic environmental structure of the Spanish health system seemed to be optimal for ED professionals. The results of the present report are part of the largest project (study of the psychological status of healthcare professionals working in emergency departments before pandemics) and complement previously published results [ 31 , 32 ].…”

“…The pattern of these markers may suggest a counteracting mechanism of DHEA against the stress reflected by amylase increases [ 31 ]. In order to verify this hypothesis (low stress due to counteracting the action of DHEA), we have analysed different psychological aspects in the same group of healthcare professionals through different tests related to behaviours resulting from stress [ 31 , 32 ]. These include the Medical Personnel Stress Survey (MPSS-R) [ 37 ], the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) [ 38 ], the self-efficacy test [ 39 ], and the sleeping quality questionnaire or COS (from Spanish “Cuestionario de Oviedo del Sueño”) [ 40 ].…”

“…Somatic distress and organizational stress were the most prominent stress markers, followed by job dissatisfaction and negative attitudes towards patients [ 31 ]. The other tests displayed optimal results [ 32 ].…”

“…Following our published findings, the STAI questionnaire revealed no significant differences in the scales of State and Trait regarding gender, professional status, and hospitals. These results indicate that professionals in EDs do not display anxiety and they do not seem to be affected by the situations they have to undergo in ED [ 32 ]. In the same vein, the self-efficacy test displayed no significant differences, regardless of professional status, gender and hospital.…”

“…Nevertheless, the present report refers to a pre-pandemic period, reflecting correct management of stress. Therefore, the aim of this work is to complete the aspects related to stress studied in previous reports [ 31 , 32 ] such as work stress, anxiety, self-efficacy, and sleeping quality, with the quality of life perception of healthcare workers (nurses and medical doctors) in emergency departments (EDs). These results indicate that the working pre-pandemic environmental structure of the Spanish health system seemed to be optimal for ED professionals.…”