Multidimensional employment trajectories and dynamic links with mental health: Evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study
2025

Employment Trajectories and Mental Health in the UK

Sample size: 1603 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Balogh Rebeka, Gadeyne Sylvie, Vanroelen Christophe, Warhurst Chris

Primary Institution: University of Glasgow

Hypothesis

How do different employment trajectories affect mental health over time?

Conclusion

High-quality employment is crucial for maintaining good mental health over time.

Supporting Evidence

  • Women who were economically inactive reported higher psychological distress than those in stable employment.
  • Men with unstable employment reported increased psychological distress at the end of the follow-up.
  • Employment quality is linked to mental health outcomes over time.

Takeaway

Having a good job helps people feel better, while unstable jobs can make them feel sad or stressed.

Methodology

The study used data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study and analyzed employment trajectories and mental health using multichannel sequence and clustering analyses.

Potential Biases

The sample may represent a healthier population due to the exclusion of individuals with incomplete data.

Limitations

The analysis was limited to individuals with complete data over nine waves, potentially affecting the robustness of the findings.

Participant Demographics

Participants were aged 30-40 at baseline, with a mix of genders and various employment statuses.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.5271/sjweh.4193

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