Noise and stress effects on preschool personnel.
The aim of the study was to analyze the presence of stress-related health problems among preschool employees and the way in which these reactions are related to noise and other work parameters. The investigation included 101 employees at 17 preschools in Umeå County, located in northern Sweden. Individual noise recordings and recordings in dining rooms and play halls were made at two departments from each preschool. The adverse effects on the employees were analyzed by use of different validated questionnaires and by saliva cortisol samples. Stress and energy output were pronounced among the employees, and about 30% of the staff experienced strong burnout syndromes. Mental recovery after work was low, indicated by remaining high levels of stress after work. The burnout symptoms were associated with reduced sleep quality and morning sleepiness. Cortisol levels supported the conclusion about pronounced daily stress levels of the preschool employees.
Faculty of Building, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Psychology, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden. fredrik.sjodin@hig.se
Fredrik
F
Sjödin
Anders
A
Kjellberg
Anders
A
Knutsson
Ulf
U
Landström
Lennart
L
Lindberg
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012574:Schools; D020922:Sleep-Wake Transition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D006854:Hydrocortisone