Saf Health Work.  2011 Jun;2(2):169-175.

Correlation of Occupational Stress Index with 24-hour Urine Cortisol and Serum DHEA Sulfate among City Bus Drivers: A Cross-sectional Study

• Du CL
• Lin MC
• Lu L
• Tai JJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The questionnaire of occupational stress index (OSI) has been popular in the workplace, and it has been tailored for bus drivers in Taiwan. Nevertheless, its outcomes for participants are based on self-evaluations, thus validation by their physiological stress biomarker is warranted and this is the main goal of this study.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study of sixty-three city bus drivers and fifty-four supporting staffs for comparison was conducted. Questionnaire surveys, 24-hour urine cortisol testing, and blood draws for dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) testing were performed. The measured concentrations of these biological measures were logarithmically transformed before the statistical analysis where various scores of stressor factors, moderators, and stress effects of each OSI domain were analyzed by applying multiple linear regression models.
RESULTS
For drivers, the elevated 24-hour urine cortisol level was associated with a worker's relationship with their supervisor and any life change events in the most recent 3 months. The DHEA-S level was higher in drivers of younger age as well as drivers with more concerns relating to their salary and bonuses. Non-drivers showed no association between any stressor or satisfaction and urine cortisol and blood DHEA-S levels.
CONCLUSION
Measurements of biomarkers may offer additional stress evaluations with OSI questionnaires for bus drivers. Increased DHEA-S and cortisol levels may result from stressors like income security. Prevention efforts towards occupational stress and life events and health promotional efforts for aged driver were important anti-stress remedies.

Keyword

Driver; Stress; Cortisol; DHEA; Life change events

MeSH Terms

Aged
Biomarkers
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
Diagnostic Self Evaluation
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Life Change Events
Linear Models
Surveys and Questionnaires
Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Stress, Physiological
Taiwan
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
Hydrocortisone