An Exploratory Study to Assess the Impact of Work Demands and the Anticipation of Work on Awakening Saliva Cortisol

Abstract

The goal was to investigate whether cortisol on awakening is higher on Monday relative to Sunday morning, and to assess whether responses vary with job demands and the anticipation of work. 77 white collar workers gave a sample of saliva on awakening Sunday and Monday mornings, and then rated their anticipation for work. Data showed that salivary cortisol concentration was greater on Monday compared to Sunday morning. There were no main effects of job demands or anticipation of work on cortisol secretion. There was a significant interaction between job demands and anticipation of work on Monday, relative to Sunday morning. Cortisol secretion was higher in those reporting high job demands together with a greater anticipation of work. It was concluded that increased awakening saliva cortisol secretion is not necessarily a result of working in a highly demanding environment. Anticipating the impending working day appears to be an important influence on adrenal-cortical activity.