Work

Explaining the Occupational Structure of Depressive Symptoms: Precarious Work and Social Marginality across European Countries

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: The idea that socioeconomic differences are a "fundamental cause" of health and well-being is the basis for large volumes of research. However, one of the challenges in this area is that of linking socioeconomic positions to etiological mechanisms in theoretically informative ways. The situation is doubly challenging because the expression and meaning of socioeconomic positions and the mechanisms they activate change over time. Focusing on depression and applying mediation analysis to data from a large multinational sample from European countries, we find strong support for a three-stage model where occupational differences are largely mediated by exposure to precarious work, which itself is mediated by social marginality. The model is largely robust across welfare state regimes. Ultimately, the research extends fundamental cause perspectives by highlighting connections between "old" and "new" dimensions of socioeconomic status and the social and social psychological sequelae that connect them to psychological well-being.

Source: Journal of Health and Social Behavior

DOI: 10.1177/00221465211072309

Authors: Ross Macmillan, Michael J. Shanahan

Institutions: University of Limerick, University of Zurich

Language: English

Topic: Employment and Welfare Studies

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,250