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. Indi...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Noise and Health
Main Authors: Fredrik Sjödin, Anders Kjellberg, Anders Knutsson, Ulf Landström, Lennart Lindberg
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.4103/1463-1741.99892
https://doaj.org/article/2db70c136442476ab07c87b3be9e3456
Description
Summary: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.