The Cortisol Connection and Psychosocial Safety Climate Role
The project
The study focuses on identifying biomarkers of workplace stress through collecting and analyzing fingernail cortisol data as an extension of the Australian Workplace Barometer (AWB) project, which is a national monitoring system that aims to provide science-driven evidence of Australian work conditions, organizational psychosocial safety climate, and workplace conditions. The current research project correlates Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC) with various factors such as job demands, job resources, psychological well-being, and work outcomes. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the well-being of employees, enabling the identification of potential hazards, the creation of effective stress management interventions, and the improvement of job design. Addressing workplace stress involves examining the complex interrelationships between psychosocial factors, job demands, job resources, psychological well-being, work outcomes, and cortisol regulation.
The Team and Partners
We are collaborating with the International University of Health and Welfare in Tokyo on a follow-up study, to measure work-related stress and psychosocial risk factors.
Research Team
- Professor Maureen Dollard (Head Supervisor)
- Dr Ali Afsharian (Project Leader)
- Ms Cherie Crispin (Research Assistant)
- Ms Amy Parkin (PhD Candidate & Research Assistant)
Research Team (International Collaborators)
- Professor Akinori Nakata (International University of Health and Welfare)
- Kazuki Kikunaga (PhD student | International University of Health and Welfare)
Impact
Creating a strong Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC) is crucial for effective workplace management. It has a significant impact on employee well-being, job satisfaction, and overall organizational performance. To establish a positive work environment and promote psychological well-being, management should prioritize commitment, communication, and participation.
Organizations must evaluate and manage excessive or sustained psychological demands effectively as they can lead to burnout and other mental health issues. Therefore, proactive measures are necessary to ensure the overall well-being of employees, taking into account both immediate and long-term impacts.
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study, please contact Dr Ali Afsharian via email at ali.afsharian@unisa.edu.au or by calling +61 8 8302 4515. Alternatively, please contact Ms. Amy Parkin via email at amy.parkin@mymail.unisa.edu.au. Please note that Professor Maureen Dollard is the head supervisor at the University of South Australia.
