The workplace, a crucial role for the health status

Nov 21, 2005 12:31 GMT  ·  By

We announced a few weeks ago that stressed out employees or those who feel that they are not treated right at their workplace are more prone to heart problems.

A new study shows that children can also be affected by the level of stress of the female employees who weren't happy with their jobs.

Dr Julie Turner-Cobb, of the Bath University, Dr Christina Chryssanthopoulou from the University of Kent and Dr David Jessop of the Bristol University, discovered after analyzing more than 50 nursery school children that the level of stress hormone cortisol in those whose mothers found their jobs less rewarding, or left them feeling emotionally exhausted, was much higher than the others'.

For women who are not content with their job, the research suggests that placing their children in childcare would help to significantly reduce the stress experienced by their children.

To measure cortisol levels they took saliva samples in the morning and evening from 56 children aged three-four years old. They also surveyed mothers about their workplace conditions and home life over six months.

"Spending more time in childcare makes a big difference to the stress levels in children whose mothers have low job satisfaction," said Dr Julie Turner-Cobb from the University of Bath.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone which regulates blood pressure and cardiovascular function, immune function as well as controlling the body's use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Cortisol secretion increases in response to stress experience, whether physical (such as illness, trauma, surgery, or temperature extremes) or psychological.