Work

Are you in or are you out? A longitudinal person-centered study of health and entrance and exit into self-employment

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study addresses the scarcity of research on health developments in the heterogeneous group of self-employed workers. It aims at understanding typical health progressions in this group and associations with demographic factors, work characteristics, and self-employment decisions. We investigate health profiles based on mental health problems, self-rated health, and work satisfaction, as well as transitions between them in relation to work effort, reward, overcommitment, demographic characteristics, and entrance and exit into self-employment. Using latent transition analysis, we analyzed data from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH), including data from 593 participants. We identified four distinct, stable health profiles, revealing associations with work effort, reward, overcommitment, and self-employment decisions. No meaningful relations existed for demographic characteristics. Overall, the findings offer a comprehensive perspective on the health dynamics of self-employed individuals, their associations with work characteristics and decisions to enter and exit self-employment. JEL CLASSIFICATION : J62; J81; L26

Source: BRQ Business Research Quarterly

DOI: 10.1177/23409444241277831

Authors: Louise E. Bergman, Aleksandra Bujacz, Constanze Leineweber, Susanna Toivanen, Claudia Bernhard-Oettel

Institutions: Stockholm University, Karolinska Institutet, Mälardalen University

Language: English

Topic: Workplace Health and Well-being

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

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

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Vetenskapsrådet, Forskningsrådet om Hälsa, Arbetsliv och Välfärd