Cross-Sectional Examination of Heart Rate Variability in Relation to Stress Levels in Different Occupational Groups

Background: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a non-invasive indicator of autonomic nervous system function and is strongly associated with stress levels. Occupational stress varies widely across professions, with certain high-stress environments, such as healthcare, known to impact both mental and physical health. Examining HRV in relation to stress levels across different occupational groups can provide insights into how workplace stress affects physiological health. Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between HRV and perceived stress levels across different occupational groups, including healthcare workers, teachers, office employees, and manual laborers, to determine how stress impacts HRV in each profession. Method: A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 100 participants selected from four occupational groups. HRV was measured using wearable ECG devices, and stress levels were assessed through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, were conducted to compare HRV metrics (e.g., SDNN, RMSSD) and stress scores across the occupational groups. Results: The mean age of participants was 38.5 years (SD = 8.2), with a gender distribution of 56% female and 44% male. Healthcare workers reported the highest average stress levels (PSS = 26.7 ± 4.5) and the lowest HRV metrics (SDNN = 45.6 ± 12.5 ms; RMSSD = 32.4 ± 10.2 ms). In contrast, teachers had the lowest stress (PSS = 18.9 ± 3.6) and the highest HRV scores (SDNN = 58.3 ± 13.0 ms; RMSSD = 42.5 ± 12.1 ms). ANOVA revealed significant differences in HRV (SDNN: F = 4.32, p < 0.01; RMSSD: F = 3.91, p < 0.05) and stress levels (F = 6.87, p < 0.001) between occupational groups. Post hoc analysis indicated that healthcare workers had significantly lower HRV and higher stress compared to teachers, with effect sizes of η² = 0.12 for HRV and η² = 0.19 for PSS. Conclusion: The findings support the role of HRV as a reliable marker of stress and highlight the impact of occupational stress on autonomic function. HRV monitoring could be useful in occupational health programs, particularly in high-stress professions like healthcare, to identify at-risk workers and implement stress-reduction interventions.