The relationship between perceived loneliness and cortisol awakening responses on work days and weekends

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and perceived loneliness on work days and weekends. Ninety female full-time workers (20-50 years old) were recruited for this study. Loneliness was evaluated using the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, and participants were classified into high (average+1 SD; n=20) or low loneliness groups (average-1 SD; n=20). The saliva samples were collected on work days and weekends. Participants were instructed to collect saliva on two occasions each day: immediately on awakening and 30 minutes after awakening. The CAR was higher on weekends in the high loneliness group than in the low loneliness group. There were significant differences in the CAR in the low loneliness group between work days and weekends, but not in the high loneliness group. These results indicated that the CAR in high loneliness people was not significantly different between work days and weekends due to a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system that is always activated. © Japanese Psychological Association 2011.