Relationship of Job Satisfaction, Psychological Distress and Stress-Related Biological Parameters among Healthy Nurses: A Longitudinal Study

Relationship of Job Satisfaction, Psychological Distress and Stress-Related Biological Parameters among Healthy Nurses: A Longitudinal Study: Monica AMATI, et al. Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy-Objective: To examine the relationship between job satisfaction, psychological distress, psychosocial processes and stress-related biological factors, and to evaluate whether over time changes of work satisfaction could affect the immunological-inflammatory status of workers Methods: One hundred and one nurses were enrolled at the Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche. Ancona, Italy Perceived job satisfaction, psychological distress, and social support were assessed every 4 mo over a 1-yr period using 4 self-reported questionnaires T lymphocytes CD3, CD4(+), CD8(+), CD8(+)-CD57(+), B lymphocyte CD19(+), NK cells CD56(+), and NK cell activity were determined Results: Job satisfaction was associated with reduced psychological distress and was characterized by low cell numbers of CD8(+) suppressor T cells, CD8(+)-CD57(+) activated T cells, CD56(+) NK cells and low IL-6 levels Over time changes in psychological parameters were related to changes in the immunological-inflammatory variables Subjects who increased their job satisfaction showed a reduced psychological stress associated with reduced number of CD8(+)-CD57(+) activated T cells and inflammatory cytokines Conclusions: Job (dis)satisfaction is related with psychological mechanisms in stress affecting cellular immune function (J Occup Health 2010, 52. 31-38)