Changes in Anabolic and Catabolic Activity among Women Taking Part in an Alternative Labour Market Programme

Thirty-two female participants in a mobilising labour market programme offering temporary, alternative employment in Sweden were followed longitudinally for one year, including a six month post participation follow-up period. It can be hypothesised that an important aspect of the physiological effects of unemployment is a change in the balance between anabolic and catabolic activities in the body and that re-employment should lead to a shift towards anabolism. An earlier study of a smaller subset of the data, however, including both men and women, showed increased prolactin and decreased dehydroepiadrosterone sulphate (DHEA-s) levels, contrary to the initial hypothesis. In the present analysis, intended to elucidate these results, psychophysiological data were summarised in two indices, one connected with anabolism (made up of testosterone and DHEA-s) and one with catabolism (prolactin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate amino transferase, alpha levuline amino transferase, and body mass index). In addition, self-rated anxiety, depression, hopelessness and personal control were analysed. The results indicate that the effect of 'better' activities within the programme was a temporary increase in anabolism, possibly indicating lower stress levels, and the effect of 'worse' activities, on the one hand, a temporary decrease in the catabolic index, probably reflecting repressed alcohol consumption, and, on the other hand, impaired anabolism. There was also a general but transient decrease in depressiveness measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The results seem to imply that it is difficult to achieve lasting effects through a relatively short participation in a mobilising programme.     

Emotions and cardiac contractility as reflected in ballistocardiographic recordings

Thirty-four patients with documented ischemic heart disease were followed with nine or more ballistocardiograms recorded at different occasions during a period exceeding two years. In a doubleblind procedure the reactions to life situations were explored in relation to the average rate of maximal cardiac force development as reflected from the slope of the IJ segment of the ballistocardiogram. A similar procedure was used in the analysis of emotional reactions in relation to IJ slope during stress interviews of six other patients with ischemic heart disease. Passive behavior and feelings of being defeated corresponded to low rate of cardiac force development, whereas happiness or aggressive responses to frustrations corresponded to a high rate of cardiac force development.