THE EFFECT OF DAILY HASSLES ON SALIVARY C ORTISOL

Daily hassles are viewed as risk factors for the development of psycho somatic symptoms. We examined the effect of daily hassles on the hypot halamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, especially on the concentration of sal ivary cortisol. 120 subjects were beeped six times per day by a prepro grammed wristwatch in order to assess mood and daily stressors. Saliva samples were collected about 25 min after each mood and stressor asse ssment. Subjects participated in the study for two consecutive weekday s. Results showed that the experience of a stressful event was signifi cantly associated with increased salivary cortisol levels. The anticip ation of a stressful event and the occupation with a problem did not i nfluence cortisol levels. A negative affect was associated with increa sed and a positive affect was associated with decreased cortisol conce ntrations. Daily stressors influenced the concurrent mood and may ther efore also indirectly affect cortisol levels. The clinical relevance o f these findings is discussed.