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Women are proficient multi-taskers. They juggle their time between job, home, significant other, children, exercise, entertainment, and relaxation. Working women are concerned about having enough time and energy to accomplish all the tasks. Being pregnant adds another level of uncertainty to their life. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that 46% of the working population were women in 2006 (United States Department of Labor, 2007). Studies have linked some working conditions to preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age babies (Bonzini et al., 2007; Croteau et al., 2006; Zhu et al., 2004). Primarily these studies have examined working conditions with birth outcomes and have not yet assessed the factors that contribute to adverse birth outcomes. In the present study we examine the relation between work status and psychological and biological stress during pregnancy.
Objective:
This prospective cohort study examines women’s self report of stress and the stress hormone cortisol.
Methods:
Women were recruited at 14-16 weeks’ gestation from the surrounding offices and clinics. Enrollment criteria included: singleton pregnancy, good physical health, and English speaking. After signing the Institutional Review Board approved consent form, women were seen at the following intervals: 14-16, 24-27, 30-32, and 36 weeks’ gestation. Each study visit consisted of: psychosocial interview by a trained interviewer, self completed questionnaire, health interview, and blood and saliva samples. Interview questions specific to employment were derived from Karasek (1990) and pertain to physical and psychological job strain. Perceived stress questions are Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale. Cortisol levels will be measured by microassays: salivary (LIA; competitive luminescence immunoassay) and plasma (ELISA).
Data Anaylsis:
The three groups (working full time, working part time, and not working outside the home) will be analyzed for differences in levels of perceived stress and cortisol levels using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Possible confounding variables will be investigated. Employed women will be additionally categorized with Karasek’s (1990) job strain model and compared with ANOVA: low strain (low demand and high control), active (high demand and high control), passive (low demand and low control), and high strain (high demand and low control).
Preliminary Results: 256 women were recruited between the years 2003 and 2007. At the initial interview, there were 41% women working full time, 28% working part time, and 31% not working outside the home. Demographics for the three groups are:
| Working Full Time | Working Part Time | Not Working Outside the Home | |
| Average Age | 30.2 | 29.2 | 27.9 |
| Married / Living with Father of Baby | 89% | 93% | 88% |
Ethnicity - Hispanic | 37% | 31% | 40% |
| White | 42% | 54% | 41% |
| African American | 3% | 3% | 4% |
| Asian | 11% | 5% | 9% |
| Other | 7% | 7% | 6% |
| Primiparous | 53% | 43% | 36% |
| Multiparous | 47% | 57% | 64% |
Funding:
National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Child Health & Development RO1 HD 40967 awarded to Laura Glynn and RO1 HD 28413 awarded to Curt Sandman.