Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem ()

Stress and cortisol levels among members of the nursing team

  • Vanessa Augusto Bardaquim,
  • Sérgio Valverde Marques dos Santos,
  • Ernandes Gonçalves Dias,
  • Rita de Cássia de Marchi Barcellos Dalri,
  • Aida Maria de Oliveira Cruz Mendes,
  • Maria Cecília Gallani,
  • Maria Lúcia do Carmo Cruz Robazzi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0953
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 73, no. suppl 1

Abstract

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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.

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