Psychophysiological correlates of organizational change and threat of unemployment among police inspectors.
The study examined psychosocial work-conditions and physiological reactions among thirty-six police inspectors (median age 45 years, 81% males) who participated in a reorganization. At this time, subjects were threatened by unemployment and had to re-apply for their positions in a new police district. Data were collected during the reorganization and at three years follow-up, by means of questionnaires (Stress Profile) and blood samples. The blood samples were used to determine serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), glucose, lipids, prolactin, testosterone and cortisol. The results show a positive association between worry about employment and symptoms of burnout during the reorganization. Mean scores for the Stress Profile sub-scales worry about employment (p<.01) and work-load (p<.05) decreased between measurements, but an impairment in relationships with management was noticed (p<.05). No significant changes were observed in terms of self-rated health complaints. Significant decreases in total cholesterol (p<.0001), LDL-cholesterol (p<.0001), LDL/HDL-ratio (p<.01), prolactin (p<.0001), as well as increases in testosterone (p<.01) and cortisol (p<.001) were observed for the whole sample. Glucose decreased with marginal significance (<.07). Controlling for age and gender, multivariate regression analyses showed that subjects who reported deteriorations in satisfaction with work manifested the most modest decreases in prolactin (p<.05). Also, the decrease in glucose was larger for subjects who experienced impairments in satisfaction with work (p<.05), information (p<.05), task-oriented leadership, (p<.05), and respect and dignity (p<.05). Subjects who perceived deteriorations in the ethical and moral standards of the organization increased their cortisol level to a lower degree than their counterparts (p<.05). Favorable changes in employment status and psychosocial work environment seem to be related to improved physiological functioning.
Grossi
G
G
Department of Biological Psychology, University of Stockholm, Sweden.
Theorell
T
T
Jürisoo
M
M
Setterlind
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D016495:Police / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011603:Psychophysiology; D013548:Sweden; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014478:Unemployment; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D006854:Hydrocortisone