Cited by 822Stress Responses and CortisolStress and Burnout ResearchOccupational Health and Burnout

Burnout, Perceived Stress, and Cortisol Responses to Awakening

Pruessner, Jens C., Hellhammer, Dirk H., Kirschbaum, Clemens·1999·Psychosomatic Medicine

Abstract

Objective The effects of burnout and perceived stress on early morning free cortisol levels after awakening were investigated in a group of teachers. Previous studies revealed that cortisol levels show a significant increase after awakening, with high intraindividual stability. Methods Sixty-six teachers from local public schools (42 women and 24 men, mean age 42+/-5 years) were asked to sample saliva for cortisol analysis on 3 consecutive days. On each day, cortisol levels were measured at the time of awakening and 15, 30, and 60 minutes thereafter. On the night before the third day, subjects took 0.5 mg dexamethasone orally for testing glucocorticoid feedback inhibition. Burnout and perceived stress were measured by three different questionnaires. Results Perceived stress correlated with increases of cortisol levels during the first hour after awakening after dexamethasone pretreatment. In addition, teachers scoring high on burnout showed lower overall cortisol secretion on all sampling days, and a higher suppression of cortisol secretion after dexamethasone administration. In the subgroup of teachers with both high levels of perceived stress and high levels of burnout, a lower overall cortisol secretion was observed on the first 2 days, with stronger increases during the first hour after awakening after dexamethasone suppression. This subgroup also showed the lowest self-esteem, the highest external locus of control, and the highest number of somatic complaints. Conclusion…

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Crossref · 10.1097/00006842-199903000-00012

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Authors
Pruessner, J. C., Hellhammer, D. H., & Kirschbaum, C.
Affiliations
Universität Trier (DE)
Venue
Psychosomatic Medicine
Published
1999
Volume
61
Issue
2
Pages
197-204
ISSN
0033-3174 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1989110716
Cited by
822
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 39 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 54
FWCI
6.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychosomatic Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KOPS (University of Konstanz) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
Keywords
burnout, perceived stress, cortisol, cortisol awakening response, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, teachers, dexamethasone suppression test, glucocorticoid feedback inhibition, self-esteem, locus of control, somatic symptoms
MeSH terms
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Burnout, Professional, Contraceptives, Oral, Dexamethasone, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Male, Middle Aged, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Saliva, Severity of Illness Index, Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone, Time Factors, Wakefulness, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic

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