Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To examine the long-term effects of a stress management intervention (SMI) based on the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model, on psychological and biological reactions to work stress. METHODS: 174 lower or middle management employees (99% male) were randomly assigned to an intervention or a waiting control group. The programme comprised 24 × 45 min group sessions (2 full days followed by two 4 × 45 min sessions within the next 8 months) on individual work stress situations. The primary endpoint was perceived stress reactivity (Stress Reactivity Scale, SRS), while secondary endpoints were salivary cortisol and α-amylase, anxiety and depression, and ERI. Assessments were repeated in 154 participants 1 year later. RESULTS: SRS score decreased in both groups. A two-factor ANOVA with repeated measures showed a significant time × group effect (F=5.932; p=0.016) with the greater reduction in the intervention group. For SRS, the effect size (Cohen's d) after 1 year was d=0.416 in the intervention and d=0.166 in the control group. α-Amylase as a measure of sympathetic nervous system activation, decreased more strongly in the intervention group (area under the daytime curve and daytime slope: time × group effect p=0.076 and p=0.075). No difference was observed for cortisol. For depression, anxiety and ERI, improvements were higher in the intervention group but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: SMI based on work stress theory, is effective in reducing perceived stress reactivity and sympathetic activation in lower and middle management employees. Other mental health parameters and ERI show a tendency towards improvement. These beneficial effects are present 1 year later.
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Authors | Heribert Limm, Harald Gündel, Mechthild Heinmüller, Birgitt Marten-Mittag, Urs M Nater, Johannes Siegrist, Peter Angerer |
Journal | Occupational and environmental medicine
(Occup Environ Med)
Vol. 68
Issue 2
Pg. 126-33
(Feb 2011)
ISSN: 1470-7926 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 20833759
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- alpha-Amylases
- Hydrocortisone
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Topics |
- Adult
- Anxiety
(therapy)
- Depression
(therapy)
- Female
- Health Behavior
- Humans
- Hydrocortisone
(metabolism)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Occupational Diseases
(prevention & control)
- Patient Compliance
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Psychotherapy, Group
(methods)
- Reward
- Saliva
(metabolism)
- Social Class
- Stress, Psychological
(prevention & control)
- Treatment Outcome
- Workplace
(psychology)
- alpha-Amylases
(metabolism)
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