Capillary, salivary and serum cortisol as biomarkers of stress in teachers: a mapping of the literature
Authors
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Milena Roxana Muñoz Ureta
Facultad de Posgrado. Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4674-1878
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Jazmin Beatriz Anzules Guerra
Departamento Especialidades en Salud. Facultad Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2789-5831
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33936/qkrcs.v9i2.7029Abstract
Job stress is a key risk factor for teachers’ mental health, affecting their psychological well-being. In Ecuador, studies have identified that workload, academic expectations and working conditions contribute to stress, burnout and disorders such as anxiety and depression. Cortisol has been used as a key biological indicator to assess these conditions. The objective was to map the scientific evidence on capillary, salivary and serum cortisol levels in relation to stress in teachers. A scoping review was conducted following the guidance of the Joanna Briggs Institute, with systematic searches in PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar, including studies published between 2019 and 2024, without language restriction. Of the studies analyzed, 64.28% used salivary samples to assess cortisol. The results highlight that factors such as occupational stress, workload, and stress management strategies significantly influence cortisol levels, confirming it as an effective biomarker of stress in teachers. It is crucial to address the gaps in the literature, especially in developing country contexts, and to promote the use of more sensitive tools to assess the impact of chronic stress on teachers’ mental health.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Milena Roxana Muñoz Ureta, Jazmin Beatriz Anzules Guerra
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