Changes in hair cortisol during retirement transition: the Finnish Retirement and Aging study

Abstract Objectives Retirement is a significant life event involving removal of work stress and changes in other psychological factors. These changes may induce physiological responses in the body, such as changes in stress hormone, cortisol, levels. The association between retirement and changes in hair cortisol is scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to examine changes in hair cortisol concentration and the associated work-related factors during retirement transition. Methods One hundred and ninety-nine workers from the Finnish Retirement and Aging study participated in annual hair sampling before and after retirement transition. Hair cortisol concentration was measured with mass spectrometry. Work-related factors were examined with survey measures. Latent trajectory analysis was used to investigate the heterogeneity of the changes in hair cortisol concentration during retirement transition. Results Study population had mean age of 63.1 (SD 1.1) years and 92% were women. Three trajectory groups for hair cortisol chances were identified: “stable low” (79%), “fluctuating” (6%) and “post-retirement increase” (15%). “Post-retirement increase” group consisted of older participants compared to the “stable low” and “fluctuating” group. No significant differences in exposure to work-related stressors were found between the groups. Discussion With repeated hair samples during the retirement transition we were able to determine that the mean levels of hair cortisol remain relatively stable during the transition. Coincidentally there is individual variability in HCC behavior. This heterogeneity is characterized by higher base levels and more annual fluctuation of hair cortisol among some individuals. Work-related stressors don't seem to explain the variability. Key messages • Mean levels of hair cortisol remain relatively stable during the transition to retirement. • There is heterogenity in hair cortisol concentration behavior. Work-relaterd stressors don't seem to explain this variability.