Sadykova, Natalia (2018) Professional Compromise Predicts Lower Hair Cortisol Among Female Employees: A Longitudinal Pilot Study. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Over the last century occupational and work-related stress has resulted in a large negative economic impact. Although loss of performance and burnout have been associated with many job characteristics and work-related stressors, professional compromise is one of the less investigated work-related stressors. This pilot study aimed to contribute to a better understanding of professional compromise amongst university employees and its impact on their well-being across academic semester. The archival data of 41 female university employees was extracted from a university professional development program. The participants completed a survey addressing professional compromise and other role-specific stressors at the beginning of semester and towards the end of semester. In a novel approach, hair cortisol was also measured as a stress biomarker. The professional compromise scale was specifically modified for this study and demonstrated good validity and reliability. Results revealed that professional compromise was a relevant and considerable work stressor for university employees. When effect of psychometric stress was taken into account, professional compromise at the beginning of semester was a significant negative predictor of hair cortisol at the end of semester. Previous work stress studies identified a persistent association between lower cortisol levels and burnout. This study established a basis for future research to investigate the relationships between professional compromise and burnout. The inclusion of burnout inventory is recommended for future research study design, in addition to generalisation of the findings for male employees and the inclusion of other occupational groups.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Erich Fein |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Aug 2025 00:05 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Aug 2025 00:05 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | professional compromise, hair cortisol, stress biomarker, work-related stress |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52727 |
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