Stress and cortisol levels among members of the nursing team

• Main Authors: Vanessa Augusto Bardaquim (Author), Sérgio Valverde Marques dos Santos (Author), Ernandes Gonçalves Dias (Author), Rita de Cássia de Marchi Barcellos Dalri (Author), Aida Maria de Oliveira Cruz Mendes (Author), Maria Cecília Gallani (Author), Maria Lúcia do Carmo Cruz Robazzi (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 0034-7167; 1984-0446; 10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0953
• Keywords: hidrocortisona; servicio de enfermería en hospital; estrés laboral; salud laboral; grupo de enfermería; Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, Vol 73, Iss suppl 1

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the characteristics of hospital nursing professionals with the presence of stress, and to associate this with capillary cortisol. Method: A cross-sectional, exploratory and correlational study, conducted in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 164 nursing professionals participated; the Perceived Stress Scale was administered, and hair samples were obtained for laboratory analysis. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (2010), and then into Microsoft Office and the R software, version 3.2.2. Results: High levels of capillary cortisol in 47% of participants suggest the presence of stress, but no statistical significance between cortisol and stress levels were found. Conclusions: Stress and capillary cortisol levels were indicative of stress among nursing professionals; however, no association between them was found, although the values found were above those recommended.