OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between nurse occupational stress and salivary alpha- amylase (SAA).

METHODSEvaluation of occupational stress was conducted in 131 nurses. The activity of SAA was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe activity of SAA in nurses varied with age and working years. The baseline, work period, recovery, average activities of >35 age group were less than those of ≤ 30 age group; work period, recovery, average activities of ≤ 10 years group were higher than other two groups; there was no statistical difference between SAA vitalities of different degree groups (P>0.05). In nurses with high scores for job demands, the activity of SAA in working period was significantly higher than that in nurses with low scores (P < 0.05). The baseline SAA activity in nurses with high scores for role conflict and ambiguity was significantly higherthan thatin nurses with low scores (P < 0.05). The baseline SAAactivity was positively correlated with workload, role conflict, and role ambiguity (P < 0.05). The activity of SAA in working period was negatively correlated with task control, decision control, and technology utilization (P < 0.05), and was positively correlated with quantitative load, load change, work monotony, and workload (P < 0.05). The activity of SAA in recovery period was negatively correlated with task control, decision control, resource control, and technology utilization (P < 0.01). The average activity of SAA was negatively correlated with task control, decision control, resource control, technology utilization, opportunity for participating in decision-making, and promotion (P < 0.05), and was positively correlated with quantitative load, load change, workload, and role ambiguity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe occupational stress in 131 nurses is correlated with the activity of SAA, which can be used as an objective biomarker for identification and evaluation of occupational stress.

Biomarkers ; Humans ; Nurses ; psychology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Salivary alpha-Amylases ; analysis ; Stress, Psychological ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Work ; Workload

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between nurse job burnout and salivary lysozyme activity.

METHODSThe saliva samples of 131 subjects were collected at four time points for two consecutive days with saliva collection tubes. The acquisition time points were 8:00 (baseline concentration), 10:00 (morning), 15:30 (afternoon), and 17:30 (recovery period). At the same time every subjects completed the job burnout questionnaire to investigate their general demographic characteristics and job burnout level. The salivary lysozyme concentration was measured with ELISA. The data were analyzed by partial correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in the salivary lysozyme activity between subjects with different ages, working years, and education levels. The work period vitality and the average energy of ≤ 30 age group were higher than other two groups and the recovery energy was higher than >35 age group. Working period vitality, the average energy of group >15 years were less than ≤ 10 years group. The work period energy and the average energy of university (college) and above group were lower than high school (secondary) and the following group. Job burnout and its three dimensions had a significant negative correlation with salivary lysozyme concentration (P < 0.01). Depersonalization and emotional exhaustion were the negative impact factors for salivary lysozyme activity at baseline. Emotional exhaustion and personal fulfillment were the negative impact factors for salivary lysozyme activity during the working period. Personal fulfillment was the negative factor for salivary lysozyme activity during the recovery period and the average salivary lysozyme activity.

CONCLUSIONSalivary lysozyme activity is sensitive for nurse job burnout, so it can be used as an objective evaluation index of job burnout.

Burnout, Professional ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Emotions ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Muramidase ; analysis ; Nurses ; psychology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Regression Analysis ; Salivary Proteins and Peptides ; analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of occupational stress on the oxidation/antioxidant capacity in nurses.

METHODSA total of 131 nurses were included as study subjects. The occupational health information collection system (based on the Internet of things) was used for measurement of occupational stress. Levels of hydroxyl free radicals and antioxidant enzymes were determined.

RESULTSThe serum level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was the highest in nurses under the age of 30 and the lowest in those over 45 (P < 0.05). The serum levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and peroxidase (POD) were the highest in nurses of working age less than 5 years, followed by those of 5-15 years, and nurses with more than 25 years' working experience showed the lowest GSH-Px and POD levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, nurses with a university (college) degree had a higher GSH-Px level and a lower POD level compared with those with junior and senior high school degrees (P < 0.05). Job prospects and job control were positive occupational stress factors for SOD. Job hazards were negative occupational stress factors for POD. Psychological satisfaction was negative occupational stress reaction for hydroxyl free radicals. Calmness was positive occupational stress reaction for SOD, and daily stress was a negative one. The positive occupational stress reactions for GSH-Px were psychological satisfaction and job satisfaction, and daily stress was negative reaction.

CONCLUSIONNurses with higher occupational stress have stronger oxidation and weaker antioxidant capacity, which intensifies oxidant-antioxidant imbalance and leads to oxidative stress damage.

Adult ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Nurses ; psychology ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; blood ; Stress, Psychological ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of occupational stress on serum monoamine neurotransmitters in nurses.

METHODSA total of 131 nurses were included as study subjects by stratified cluster sampling. The occupational health information collection system (based on the Internet of things) was used to measure occupational stress. Serum levels of monoamine neurotransmitters were also measured.

RESULTSEpinephrine (E) was negatively correlated with superior support (P < 0.05) and colleague support (P < 0.05). Negative correlation was also found between dopamine (DA) and job prospect (P < 0.05). Level of 5-hydroxytryptamine was negatively correlated with promotion opportunities (P < 0.05). Norepinephrine (NE), E, and DA were all negatively correlated with work satisfaction (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with daily stress (P < 0.01). NE and E were negatively correlated with sufficient confidence (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with physical complaints (P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between NE and psychological satisfaction (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOccupational stress in nurses is correlated with serum monoamine neurotransmitters, and it may affect serum levels of monoamine neurotransmitters to a certain extent.

Adult ; Biogenic Monoamines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Middle Aged ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; blood ; Nurses ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological ; Surveys and Questionnaires