Skip to main content
Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 8/2011

01.12.2011 | Original Article

Perceived job insecurity and perceived employability in relation to temporary and permanent workers’ psychological symptoms: a two samples study

verfasst von: Kaisa Kirves, Nele De Cuyper, Ulla Kinnunen, Jouko Nätti

Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Ausgabe 8/2011

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Purpose

To clarify the role of perceived job insecurity and perceived employability in relation to psychological symptoms among permanent and temporary employees in two samples. Sample 1 was representative of the Finnish working population in 2008 (n = 4,330; Study 1). Sample 2 was collected among Finnish university personnel and in two waves (n = 1,212; Study 2).

Methods

Perceived job insecurity, perceived employability, and psychological symptoms were measured by questionnaires in both studies. Hypotheses were tested with regression analyses.

Results

The pattern of results was similar in the two samples. Perceived job insecurity was positively associated with psychological symptoms among permanent workers but not among temporary workers. No such differential relationships were observed for perceived employability, instead perceived employability was negatively associated with psychological symptoms among all respondents. Furthermore, perceived employability did not buffer the positive relation between perceived job insecurity and psychological symptoms.

Conclusions

Knowledge about the relationship between contract type and workers’ well-being can be enhanced when the combined effects of contract type and job conditions are accounted for.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Baron RB, Kenny DA (1986) The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. J Pers Soc Psychol 51:1173–1182CrossRef Baron RB, Kenny DA (1986) The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. J Pers Soc Psychol 51:1173–1182CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bernhard-Oettel C, Sverke M, De Witte H (2005) Comparing three alternative types of employment with permanent full-time work: how do employment contract and perceived job conditions relate to health complaints? Work Stress 19:301–318. doi:10.1080/02678370500408723 CrossRef Bernhard-Oettel C, Sverke M, De Witte H (2005) Comparing three alternative types of employment with permanent full-time work: how do employment contract and perceived job conditions relate to health complaints? Work Stress 19:301–318. doi:10.​1080/​0267837050040872​3 CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Berntson E, Näswall K, Sverke M (2010) The moderating role of employability in the association between perceived job insecurity and exit, voice, loyalty and neglect. Econ Ind Democr 31:215–230. doi:10.1177/0143831X09358374 Berntson E, Näswall K, Sverke M (2010) The moderating role of employability in the association between perceived job insecurity and exit, voice, loyalty and neglect. Econ Ind Democr 31:215–230. doi:10.​1177/​0143831X09358374​
Zurück zum Zitat De Cuyper N, De Witte H (2006) The impact of job insecurity and contract type on attitudes, well-being and behavioural reports: a psychological contract perspective. J Occup Organ Psychol 79:395–409. doi:10.1348/096317905X53660 CrossRef De Cuyper N, De Witte H (2006) The impact of job insecurity and contract type on attitudes, well-being and behavioural reports: a psychological contract perspective. J Occup Organ Psychol 79:395–409. doi:10.​1348/​096317905X53660 CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat De Cuyper N, De Witte H (2007b) Job insecurity and employability among temporary workers: a theoretical approach based on the psychological contract. In: Näswall K et al (eds) Balancing work and well-being. Cambridge University Press, New York De Cuyper N, De Witte H (2007b) Job insecurity and employability among temporary workers: a theoretical approach based on the psychological contract. In: Näswall K et al (eds) Balancing work and well-being. Cambridge University Press, New York
Zurück zum Zitat De Cuyper N, Notelaers G, De Witte H (2009a) Job insecurity and employability in fixed-term contractors, agency workers, and permanent workers: associations with job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment. J Occup Health Psychol 14:193–205. doi:10.1037/a0014603 CrossRef De Cuyper N, Notelaers G, De Witte H (2009a) Job insecurity and employability in fixed-term contractors, agency workers, and permanent workers: associations with job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment. J Occup Health Psychol 14:193–205. doi:10.​1037/​a0014603 CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat De Cuyper N, Notelaers G, De Witte H (2009b) Transitioning between temporary and permanent employment: a two-wave study on the entrapment, the stepping stone and the selection hypothesis. J Occup Organ Psychol 82:67–88. doi:10.1348/096317908X299755 CrossRef De Cuyper N, Notelaers G, De Witte H (2009b) Transitioning between temporary and permanent employment: a two-wave study on the entrapment, the stepping stone and the selection hypothesis. J Occup Organ Psychol 82:67–88. doi:10.​1348/​096317908X299755​ CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat De Cuyper N, De Witte H, Kinnunen U, Nätti J (2010) The relationships between job insecurity, employability and well-being in Finnish temporary and permanent employees. Int Stud Manag Organ 40:57–73. doi:10.2753/IMO0020-8825400104 CrossRef De Cuyper N, De Witte H, Kinnunen U, Nätti J (2010) The relationships between job insecurity, employability and well-being in Finnish temporary and permanent employees. Int Stud Manag Organ 40:57–73. doi:10.​2753/​IMO0020-8825400104 CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat De Cuyper N, Mauno S, Kinnunen U, Mäkikangas A (2011) The role of job resources in the relation between perceived employability and turnover intention: a prospective two-sample study. J Vocat Behav 78:253–263. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2010.09.008 De Cuyper N, Mauno S, Kinnunen U, Mäkikangas A (2011) The role of job resources in the relation between perceived employability and turnover intention: a prospective two-sample study. J Vocat Behav 78:253–263. doi:10.​1016/​j.​jvb.​2010.​09.​008
Zurück zum Zitat De Lange AH, Taris TW, Kompier MAJ, Houtman ILD, Bongers PM (2004) The relationships between work characteristics and mental health: examining normal, reversed and reciprocal relationships in a 4-wave study. Work Stress 18:149–166. doi:10.1080/02678370412331270860 CrossRef De Lange AH, Taris TW, Kompier MAJ, Houtman ILD, Bongers PM (2004) The relationships between work characteristics and mental health: examining normal, reversed and reciprocal relationships in a 4-wave study. Work Stress 18:149–166. doi:10.​1080/​0267837041233127​0860 CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat De Witte H (2000) Work ethic and job insecurity: assessment and consequences for well-being, satisfaction and performance at work. In: Bowen R, De Witte K, De Witte H, Taillieu T (eds) From group to community. Garant, Leuven, pp 325–350 [in Dutch] De Witte H (2000) Work ethic and job insecurity: assessment and consequences for well-being, satisfaction and performance at work. In: Bowen R, De Witte K, De Witte H, Taillieu T (eds) From group to community. Garant, Leuven, pp 325–350 [in Dutch]
Zurück zum Zitat De Witte H, Näswall K (2003) Objective versus subjective job insecurity: consequences of temporary work for job satisfaction and organizational commitment in four European countries. Econ Ind Democr 24:149–188. doi:10.1177/0143831X03024002002 CrossRef De Witte H, Näswall K (2003) Objective versus subjective job insecurity: consequences of temporary work for job satisfaction and organizational commitment in four European countries. Econ Ind Democr 24:149–188. doi:10.​1177/​0143831X03024002​002 CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dekker S, Schaufeli W (1995) The effects of job insecurity on psychological health and withdrawal: a longitudinal study. Aust Psychol 30:57–63CrossRef Dekker S, Schaufeli W (1995) The effects of job insecurity on psychological health and withdrawal: a longitudinal study. Aust Psychol 30:57–63CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Forrier A, Sels L (2003a) Temporary employment and employability: training opportunities and efforts of temporary and permanent employees in Belgium. Work Employ Soc 17:641–666. doi:10.1177/0950017003174003 CrossRef Forrier A, Sels L (2003a) Temporary employment and employability: training opportunities and efforts of temporary and permanent employees in Belgium. Work Employ Soc 17:641–666. doi:10.​1177/​0950017003174003​ CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hellgren J, Sverke M (2003) Does job insecurity lead to impaired well-being or vice versa? Estimation of cross-lagged effects using latent variable modeling. J Organ Behav 24:215–236. doi:10.1002/job.184 CrossRef Hellgren J, Sverke M (2003) Does job insecurity lead to impaired well-being or vice versa? Estimation of cross-lagged effects using latent variable modeling. J Organ Behav 24:215–236. doi:10.​1002/​job.​184 CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jahoda M (1982) Employment and unemployment: a social-psychological analysis. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Jahoda M (1982) Employment and unemployment: a social-psychological analysis. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Zurück zum Zitat Kalyal HJ, Berntson E, Baraldi S, Näswall K, Sverke M (2010) The moderating role of employability on the relationship between job insecurity and commitment to change. Econ Ind Democr 31:327–344. doi:10.1177/0143831X09351214 Kalyal HJ, Berntson E, Baraldi S, Näswall K, Sverke M (2010) The moderating role of employability on the relationship between job insecurity and commitment to change. Econ Ind Democr 31:327–344. doi:10.​1177/​0143831X09351214​
Zurück zum Zitat Kirves K, Kinnunen U, Mauno S, Mäkikangas A, Rantanen J, Siponen K, Nätti J (2010) Job characteristics and well-being in university work: comparing voluntary and involuntary temporary and permanent workers. Work Res 8:225–236 [in Finnish] Kirves K, Kinnunen U, Mauno S, Mäkikangas A, Rantanen J, Siponen K, Nätti J (2010) Job characteristics and well-being in university work: comparing voluntary and involuntary temporary and permanent workers. Work Res 8:225–236 [in Finnish]
Zurück zum Zitat Latack JC, Dozier JB (1986) After the ax falls: job loss as a career transition. Acad Manag Rev 11:375–392 Latack JC, Dozier JB (1986) After the ax falls: job loss as a career transition. Acad Manag Rev 11:375–392
Zurück zum Zitat Lazarus R, Folkman S (1984) Stress: appraisal and coping. Springer, New York Lazarus R, Folkman S (1984) Stress: appraisal and coping. Springer, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Lehto A-M, Sutela H (2008) Three decades of working conditions. Statistics Finland, Helsinki [in Finnish] Lehto A-M, Sutela H (2008) Three decades of working conditions. Statistics Finland, Helsinki [in Finnish]
Zurück zum Zitat Mauno S, Kinnunen U, Mäkikangas A, Nätti J (2005) Psychological consequences of fixed-term employment and perceived job insecurity among health care staff. Eur J Work Organ Psychol 14:209–238. doi:10.1080/13594320500146649 CrossRef Mauno S, Kinnunen U, Mäkikangas A, Nätti J (2005) Psychological consequences of fixed-term employment and perceived job insecurity among health care staff. Eur J Work Organ Psychol 14:209–238. doi:10.​1080/​1359432050014664​9 CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Millward LJ, Brewerton PM (2000) Psychological contracts: employee relations for the twenty-first century? In: Cooper CL, Robertson IT (eds) International review of industrial and organizational psychology, vol 15. Wiley, Chichester, pp 1–61 Millward LJ, Brewerton PM (2000) Psychological contracts: employee relations for the twenty-first century? In: Cooper CL, Robertson IT (eds) International review of industrial and organizational psychology, vol 15. Wiley, Chichester, pp 1–61
Zurück zum Zitat Probst T (2008) Job insecurity. In: Barling J, Cooper C (eds) The SAGE handbook of organizational behavior. Sage, Los Angeles, pp 178–195 Probst T (2008) Job insecurity. In: Barling J, Cooper C (eds) The SAGE handbook of organizational behavior. Sage, Los Angeles, pp 178–195
Zurück zum Zitat Rousseau DM (1995) Psychological contracts in organizations: understanding written and unwritten agreements. Sage, Thousand Oaks Rousseau DM (1995) Psychological contracts in organizations: understanding written and unwritten agreements. Sage, Thousand Oaks
Zurück zum Zitat Sutela H, Vänskä J, Notkola V (2001) Fixed-term employment in Finland in 1990s. Statistics Finland, Helsinki [in Finnish] Sutela H, Vänskä J, Notkola V (2001) Fixed-term employment in Finland in 1990s. Statistics Finland, Helsinki [in Finnish]
Zurück zum Zitat Zapf D, Dormann C, Frese M (1996) Longitudinal studies in organizational stress research: a review of the literature with reference to methodological issues. J Occup Health Psychol 1:145–169. doi:10.1037/1076-8998.1.2.145 CrossRef Zapf D, Dormann C, Frese M (1996) Longitudinal studies in organizational stress research: a review of the literature with reference to methodological issues. J Occup Health Psychol 1:145–169. doi:10.​1037/​1076-8998.​1.​2.​145 CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Perceived job insecurity and perceived employability in relation to temporary and permanent workers’ psychological symptoms: a two samples study
verfasst von
Kaisa Kirves
Nele De Cuyper
Ulla Kinnunen
Jouko Nätti
Publikationsdatum
01.12.2011
Verlag
Springer-Verlag
Erschienen in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Ausgabe 8/2011
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-011-0630-y

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 8/2011

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 8/2011 Zur Ausgabe