Negative affectivity moderates the association between job demands and hair cortisol in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional multi-method study

Aims Healthcare workers (HCWs) are frequently exposed to psychosocial job demands (JDs) that may lead to work-related stress. This study investigates the association between JDs—specifically time pressure, problem solving, overload, and emotional demands—and hair cortisol concentration (HCC), as biomarker of long-term hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activation, in a sample of HCWs. It further examines the moderating role of negative affectivity (NA), an individual characteristic linked to heightened stress reactivity. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources theory and the allostatic load model, we hypothesized that (1) JDs would be positively associated with HCC and (2) this relationship would be stronger for individuals high in NA. Design Participants were 67 healthcare professionals working in a healthcare facility located in Northern Italy. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire designed to assess JDs and NA. Next, participants provided a hair sample for the assessment of HCC. Results Although data from a sample of HCWs revealed some positive but non-significant trends for problem solving and overload, generally JDs were not associated with HCC at average levels of NA. Interestingly, NA moderated the relationship between problem solving/time pressure and HCC, with stronger positive associations among individuals with high NA. Conclusion Findings from this exploratory cross-sectional study suggest that NA may act as a vulnerability factor, implying that HCWs high in NA may have a heightened strain response to certain JDs. By integrating psychological and biological measures, this study offers novel insights into the interplay between workplace stressors, personality traits, and physiological responses to stress. These findings highlight the potential relevance of individual differences in occupational stress research, and point to HCC as a promising indicator of chronic stress among HCWs. Implications for the profession The findings suggest the need for occupational health interventions tailored to individual traits, such as NA, to reduce stress reactivity, foster well-being, and enhance the quality of care provided.