Linking decent work with physical and mental health: A psychology of working perspective

an article by Ryan D.Duffy, Haram J.Kim, Nicholas P.Gensmer, Richard P.Douglass and Jessica W.England (University of Florida, USA), Trisha L.Raque-Bogdan (University of Denvert, USA) and AysenurBuyukgoze-Kavasa (Ondokuz Mayıs University, Turkey) published in Journal of Vocational Behavior Volume 112 (June 2019)

Highlights

• Collected data diverse sample of employed adults (N = 497) with an annual household income under $50,000
• Examined links between decent work, need satisfaction, and physical health grounded in Psychology of Working Theory
• Decent work strongly predicted survival, social contribution, and self-determination need satisfaction.
• All three need satisfactions fully mediated the link of decent work to mental health.
• Survival needs satisfaction partially mediated the link between decent work and physical health.

Abstract

Drawing from a psychology of working perspective, the current study examined links between decent work and health among a sample (N = 497) of employed adults with an annual household income under $50,000.

A theory driven mediation model was tested positioning decent work as a predictor of mental and physical health via need satisfaction at work. Decent work strongly predicted survival, social contribution, and self-determination need satisfaction.

Regarding mental health, hypotheses were mainly supported as all three need satisfactions mediated the link of decent work to mental health.

Regarding physical health, hypotheses were partially supported as only survival needs partially mediated this relation.

Overall, findings suggest that securing decent work may promote increased mental health primarily because work is meeting individual needs and may promote physical health – in part – by helping meet survival needs. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

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Expanding the Impact of the Psychology of Working: Engaging Psychology in the Struggle for Decent Work and Human Rights

an article by David L. Blustein and Maureen E. Kenny (Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA), Annamaria Di Fabio (University of Florence, Firenze, Italy) and Jean Guichard (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (Paris), France) published in Journal of Career Assessment Volume 27 Issue 1 (February 2019)

Abstract

Building on new developments in the psychology of working framework (PWF) and psychology of working theory (PWT), this article proposes a rationale and research agenda for applied psychologists and career development professionals to contribute to the many challenges related to human rights and decent work. Recent and ongoing changes in the world are contributing to a significant loss of decent work, including a rise of unemployment, underemployment, and precarious work across the globe.

By failing to satisfy human needs for economic survival, social connection, and self-determination, the loss of decent work undermines individual and societal well-being, particularly for marginalized groups and those without highly marketable skills.

Informed by innovations in the PWF/PWT, we offer exemplary research agendas that focus on examining the psychological meaning and impact of economic and social protections, balancing caregiving work and market work, making work more just, and enhancing individual capacities for coping and adapting to changes in the world of work.

These examples are intended to stimulate new ideas and initiatives for psychological research that will inform and enhance efforts pertaining to work as a human right.

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Life Without Work: Understanding Social Class Changes and Unemployment Through Theoretical Integration

an article by Saba Rasheed Ali, Kevin Fall and Tina Hoffman (University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA) published in Journal of Career Assessment Volume 21 Number 1 (February 2013)

Abstract

Unemployment is a stark reality in today’s economic climate, and many Americans report a fear of loss or decrease in social status as a result of unexpected unemployment.

Despite vocational psychology’s emphasis on work as a domain of life, very little exploration on how social class shifts impact workers has been conducted.

One way to rectify the current gaps in the literature is to consider the integration of multiple theories that address different aspects of social class identity and the role of work in people’s lives.

Intersectional approaches, the Social Class Worldview Model, and the Psychology Working perspectives are discussed in this article as applicable to life without work, particularly in relation to unemployment among under-served populations. Multidisciplinary literature is highlighted and integrated to inform the current understanding of these problems.

Implications for psychologists and career counsellors conducting research, practice, and public policy are discussed.

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