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Workplace Culture and Biomarkers of Health Risk

Author

Listed:
  • Brad Shuck

    (College of Education and Human Development, University of Louisville, Suite #346, Louisville, KY 40292, USA)

  • Joy L. Hart

    (Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
    Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Kandi L. Walker

    (Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
    Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Jayesh Rai

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Shweta Srivastava

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Sanjay Srivastava

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
    Division of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Shesh Rai

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
    Division of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
    Brown Cancer Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
    Biostatistics and Informatics Core, Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Aruni Bhatnagar

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
    Division of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Rachel J. Keith

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
    Division of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

Abstract

Workplace culture has been studied for impact on health risk; however, connections with robust biologic markers of health remain to be established. We examined associations between the work environment and urinary levels of catecholamines and their metabolites as biomarkers of sympathetic nervous system activity, indicative of stress. We recruited participants (n = 219; 2018–2019) from a cardiovascular risk cohort to investigate workplace culture, well-being, and stress. Participants completed seven questionnaires. Urine samples were used to measure catecholamines and their metabolites by LC/MS/MS. Pearson correlation and linear regression models were used after adjusting for demographics and creatinine. Participants reporting higher well-being had lower urinary levels of dopamine, serotonin, and 3-methoxytyramine. Participants reporting a more engaged and more positive workplace had lower levels of dopamine and 3-methoxytyramine. Reported workplace isolation was correlated with higher levels of dopamine and 3-methoxytyramine. Given correlations between catecholamines, we used 3-methoxytyramine for linear regression. In fully adjusted models, in environments with a more positive culture, levels of 3-methoxytyramine remained lower (β = −0.065 ± 0.025, p = 0.01) and indicated a positive association between workplace isolation and 3-methoxytyramine (β = 0.064 ± 0.030, p = 0.04). These findings are consistent with an important relationship between workplace environment and sympathetic nervous system activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Brad Shuck & Joy L. Hart & Kandi L. Walker & Jayesh Rai & Shweta Srivastava & Sanjay Srivastava & Shesh Rai & Aruni Bhatnagar & Rachel J. Keith, 2022. "Workplace Culture and Biomarkers of Health Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:11920-:d:920620
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Damon Jones & David Molitor & Julian Reif, 2019. "What do Workplace Wellness Programs do? Evidence from the Illinois Workplace Wellness Study," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 134(4), pages 1747-1791.
    2. Michael W. Schwartz & Stephen C. Woods & Daniel Porte & Randy J. Seeley & Denis G. Baskin, 2000. "Central nervous system control of food intake," Nature, Nature, vol. 404(6778), pages 661-671, April.
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