Evidence of the Moderating Role of Hair Cortisol and Hair Cortisone in the Relationship Between Work Stress and Depression Symptoms Among Chinese Fishermen

In a study involving 229 Chinese fishermen aged 16–65, researchers investigated the role of hair cortisol and hair cortisone as moderators in the relationship between work stress and depression symptoms. The study, which measured these indicators before and after the fishermen spent 1–3 months at sea, found that work stress and hair cortisol levels were significantly higher before fishing, while hair cortisone levels were lower, with no significant difference in depressive symptoms. Fishermen with low hair cortisol or high hair cortisone were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms after experiencing stress, but less likely to do so under lower work stress levels, aligning with the differential susceptibility model of depression. The study noted limitations, including potential time overlap due to hair growth rates, only two observation points, reliance on self-report scales, and a limited sample from a single location. The findings suggest that hair cortisol and cortisone may moderate the impact of work stress on depression, though their mechanisms differ, highlighting the complexity of physiological indicators in depression.