Work-Related Stress, Physio-Pathological Mechanisms, and the Influence of Environmental Genetic Factors

Abstract

Work-related stress is a growing health problem in modern society. The stress response is characterized by numerous neurochemicals, neuroendocrine and immune modifications that involve various neurological systems and circuits, and regulation of the gene expression of the different receptors. In this regard, a lot of research has focused the attention on the role played by the environment in influencing gene expression, which in turn can control the stress response. In particular, genetic factors can moderate the sensitivities of specific types of neural cells or circuits mediating the imprinting of the environment on different biological systems. In this current review, we wish to analyze systematic reviews and recent experimental research on the physio-pathological mechanisms that underline stress-related responses. In particular, we analyze the relationship between genetic and epigenetic factors in the stress response.

Cardiorenal metabolic biomarkers link early life stress to risk of non-communicable diseases and adverse mental health outcomes

“…Previous studies have linked perinatal stress to abnormal HPA axis function in the offspring, along with neuronal and receptor loss in brain areas associated with the control of stress response and affective state 34 . Interestingly, these hormonal changes are associated with epigenetic changes, including altered microRNA expression, along with HPA axis reprogramming 35 .…”

Stressful Factors in the Working Environment, Lack of Adequate Sleep, and Musculoskeletal Pain among Nursing Unit Managers

“…It would also be interesting to examine their health and well-being about other factors such as heart disease [56] and other lifestyle diseases, as they have been shown to be somewhat stress-related [57]. As Cannizzaro et al [58] pointed out that in the professional work environment, there are nonspecific psychosocial and environmental risks that can determine different organic and behavioural disorder, therefore highlighting the demand for further research to detect the specific neuroendocrine and genetic factors that subtend and predict vulnerability to the work-related stress response.…”

Mindfulness as a Protective Factor for Dissatisfaction in HCWs: The Moderating Role of Mindful Attention between Climate Stress and Job Satisfaction

“…Referring to a large strand of studies that focused on interventions at work for stress management, mindfulness-based practices seem to play a crucial role in the stress process [43][44][45][46][47][48]; many studies suggest that the mindful control state helps people to separate environment characteristics from the corresponding reactions, limiting automatic responses to the environment, and focusing attention on one's physiological responses [32,49,50]. It facilitates stress resilience and more positive coping [33,34,51] because it draws people into the present moment to help them experience greater control over the events they experience [52,53].…”