Multidimensional employment trajectories and dynamic links with mental health: Evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.High-quality employment is crucial for mental health. Precarious work trajectories, especially for women experiencing inactivity or instability, are linked to increased psychological distress over time.
Area Of Science
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background
- Low-quality and precarious employment are linked to poor mental health and wellbeing.
- Understanding the impact of employment *trajectories* on mental health over time is crucial.
Purpose Of The Study
- To develop a typology of multidimensional employment trajectories.
- To examine the association between these trajectories and mental health in UK adults.
Main Methods
- Utilized data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (waves 1-9, 2009-2019).
- Included individuals aged 30-40 at baseline (N=1603).
- Employed sequence and clustering analyses to define employment trajectories and assessed links to psychological distress using General Health Questionnaire scores.
Main Results
- Identified five trajectory clusters, including stable/secure and precarious/low-quality paths for men and women.
- Women with prolonged economic inactivity showed higher distress than those in standard trajectories.
- Precarious trajectories involving unemployment transitions were associated with increased distress in both women and men.
Conclusions
- High-quality employment is vital for sustained mental health.
- Future research should explore dynamic associations between employment quality and mental health across the life course.
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