Citation
Allmang, Skye (2018). Getting stuck or moving out: An examination of precarious employment trajectories and self-reported health in young adults.
2018 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.
Abstract
Since the 1970s, globalization, changes in technology, and the weakening of unions have transformed employment relations in the United States. One indication of this transformation is the recent rise in precarious employment, or "employment that is uncertain, unpredictable, and risky from the point of view of the worker” (Kalleberg, 2009, p. 2). Little is known about the effects of remaining in precarious employment over time, particularly for young people during the transition to adulthood. To fill this gap, my dissertation will examine the associations between precarious employment trajectories and health outcomes, including self-reported general health, depression, self-esteem, and behavioral health, among young adults. Overall, it is hypothesized that remaining in precarious employment over time (versus moving out of precarious employment, moving into precarious employment, or never entering it) is most likely to be associated with adverse health outcomes. The study will utilize a longitudinal research design using restricted-use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Wave I data will provide the demographic data for the study. Data from Wave III and Wave IV will be used in order to identify employment trajectories, and to examine the associations between employment trajectories and health outcomes. Research Plan: Variables will be constructed to capture key concepts related to employment and health. Using latent class analysis, workers will be sorted into precarious and nonprecarious groups based on self-reported measures of job security, control over one's work schedule, annual wages, and the availability of employer-provided benefits. In addition, variables to capture health outcomes, such as depression, self-esteem, and stress, as well as health behaviors, will be created. Descriptive analyses, such as means and correlations, as well as logistic and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analyses, will be conducted. Expected Findings: Based on the existing literature, it is hypothesized that the individuals who remained in precarious employment from Waves III to IV were more likely to have adverse health outcomes than those who were not in precarious employment in either Wave III or Wave IV, those who were in precarious employment at Wave III but moved out in Wave IV, and those who were not in precarious employment in Wave III but entered it in Wave IV.
Reference Type
Conference proceeding
Book Title
2018 Add Health Users Conference
Author(s)
Allmang, Skye
Year Published
2018
City of Publication
Bethesda, MD
Reference ID
9283
