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International Journal for Equity in Health

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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Contemporary employment arrangements and mental well-being in men and women across Europe: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Deborah De Moortel, Hadewijch Vandenheede, Christophe Vanroelen

Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Introduction

There is the tendency in occupational health research of approximating the `changed world of work´ with a sole focus on the intrinsic characteristics of the work task, encompassing the job content and working conditions. This is insufficient to explain the mental health risks associated with contemporary paid work as not only the nature of work tasks have changed but also the terms and conditions of employment. The main aim of the present study is to investigate whether a set of indicators referring to quality of the employment arrangement is associated with the well-being of people in salaried employment. Associations between the quality of contemporary employment arrangements and mental well-being in salaried workers are investigated through a multidimensional set of indicators for employment quality (contract type; income; irregular and/or unsocial working hours; employment status; training; participation; and representation). The second and third aim are to investigate whether the relation between employment quality and mental well-being is different for employed men and women and across different welfare regimes.

Methods

Cross-sectional data of salaried workers aged 15-65 from 21 EU-member states (n =11,940) were obtained from the 2010 European Social Survey. Linear regression analyses were performed.

Results

For both men and women, and irrespective of welfare regime, several sub-dimensions of low employment quality are significantly related with poor mental well-being. Most of the significant relations persist after controlling for intrinsic job characteristics. An insufficient household income and irregular and/or unsocial working hours are the strongest predictors of poor mental well-being. A differential vulnerability of employed men and women to the sub-dimensions of employment quality is found in Traditional family and Southern European welfare regimes.

Conclusions

There are significant relations between indicators of low employment quality and poor mental well-being, also when intrinsic characteristics of the work task are controlled. Gender differences are least pronounced in Earner-carer countries.

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Title: Contemporary employment arrangements and mental well-being in men and women across Europe: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Deborah De Moortel
Hadewijch Vandenheede
Christophe Vanroelen
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1475-9276
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-014-0090-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Contemporary employment arrangements and mental well-being in men and women across Europe: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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