Investigating the association between perceived stress and some biochemical, socio-demographic and work-related predictors of stress

Perceived stress has proven to be highly correlated with negative health outcomes. Identifying influential predictors of perceived stress is of crucial importance to limit its spread and overcome its deteriorating effects on health and wellbeing. Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate prevalence of perceived stress and the degree of association between some biochemical, work-related and socio-demographic factors with high scores on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).A convenient sample of 86 (26 males and 60 females) Egyptian working adults represented the study sample. Participants were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire for socio-demographics, the Cohen's perceived stress scale, Falsification of Type Scale for job stress and Andrews and Withey Job Satisfaction Scale. Blood samples were collected from all participants and serum cortisol, DHEA-s and CRP were estimated using ELISA. Majority of the sample (70%) showed moderate perceived stress. Mean values of cortisol, DHEAs and CRP lied within their normal ranges. Irritability, loss of concentration, loss of sense of humor and fatigue represented the significant factors associating high perceived stress.Job stress is a serious risk factor for perceived stress while DHEA-s among the studied biomarkers-is the only one that could help in PS prediction.