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When Gig Work Gets Ruff: The Affective Benefits of Daily Human-Animal Interactions for Mental Health
1Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisboa, Portugal.
Summary
Daily human-animal interactions (HAI) can improve gig worker mental health by boosting positive affect. Neuroticism can strengthen this protective effect, offering insights for supporting freelance workers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Occupational Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Gig work is rapidly expanding, presenting unique challenges like isolation and lack of support.
- These factors can negatively impact the mental health of gig workers.
- Identifying protective mechanisms is crucial for worker well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating role of daily affect ratio in the relationship between human-animal interactions (HAI) and mental health.
- To examine the moderating role of neuroticism in the indirect effect of HAI on mental health.
- To understand how to support gig worker mental health.
Main Methods:
- A daily diary study design was employed.
- 205 freelance journalists participated, providing 1025 daily observations.
- Multilevel analyses were used to examine the data.
Main Results:
- Daily HAI positively influenced mental health by enhancing the daily affect ratio.
- The positive effect of HAI on affect ratio was stronger for individuals with higher neuroticism.
- Neuroticism amplified the indirect effect of HAI on mental health via affect ratio.
Conclusions:
- Human-animal interactions offer a protective mechanism for gig worker mental health.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering individual differences like neuroticism.
- Practical implications exist for interventions aimed at improving gig worker psychological well-being.
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