Workplace Re-organization and Changes in Physiological Stress Markers

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in physiological stress markers as a consequence of workplace reorganization. Moreover, we aimed to investigate changes in the psychosocial work environment (job strain, effortreward imbalance (ERI), in psychological distress (stress symptoms, perceived stress) and the mediating effect of these factors on changes in physiological stress markers. We used data from a longitudinal study that studied the health consequences of a major reorganization of non-state public offices executed in Denmark on 1 January 2007. Collection of clinical and questionnaire data was in 2006 and 2008, and in this sub-study we included 359 participants. To reflect stress reactions of the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system and the immune system, we included 13 physiological markers. We observed significant change in several physiological stress markers. Moreover stress symptoms and perceived stress increased significantly but did not explain the physiological changes. ERI and job strain did not change significantly and adjustment for these factors did not change the results. In this study, we found a significant association between workplace reorganization and changes in several physiological stress markers. However, these changes could not be explained by a significant change in psychological distress.