TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploring multidimensional operationalizations of precarious employment in Swedish register data - a typological approach and a summative score approach

AU - Jonsson, Johanna

AU - Matilla-Santander, Nuria

AU - Kreshpaj, Bertina

AU - Orellana, Cecilia

AU - Johansson, Gun

AU - Burström, Bo

AU - Alderling, Magnus

AU - Peckham, Trevor

AU - Kjellberg, Katarina

AU - Selander, Jenny

AU - Östergren, Per-Olof

AU - Bodin, Theo

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Objectives This study aimed to explore multidimensional operationalizations of precarious employment (PE) in Swedish register data using two approaches: (i) a typological approach and (ii) a dimensional, summative scale approach. It also examined the distribution of sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of precarious employees in Sweden. Method Register data was retrieved on individuals and their employers in the Swedish workforce. Five items corresponding to three dimensions of PE were operationalized: contractual relationship insecurity, contractual temporariness, multiple jobs/sectors, income level, and lack of unionization. First, latent class analysis was applied and a typology of six employment types emerged. Second, a summative scale was constructed by scoring all PE-items. Results Three types of PE were found using the typological approach, which were characterized by direct employment, solo self-employment and multiple job holding, respectively. The summative scale score ranged between -10 and +2 (average: -1.8). Particularly poor scores were seen for solo self-employed, multiple job holders/multiple sectors, and low income. Female gender, young age, low education and foreign origin were prone to precariousness. PE was more frequent among certain economic sectors and occupations. Conclusions Using an existing register of labor market data, two operationalizations of PE were constructed and rendered promising for exposure assessment. Hence, the operationalizations could be of interest for countries with similar data structure. Both approaches highlighted precarious combinations of employment conditions and pointed towards the existence of a wide continuum of precariousness on the labor market. Etiological studies and research assessing trends over time are needed to validate these findings.

AB - Objectives This study aimed to explore multidimensional operationalizations of precarious employment (PE) in Swedish register data using two approaches: (i) a typological approach and (ii) a dimensional, summative scale approach. It also examined the distribution of sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of precarious employees in Sweden. Method Register data was retrieved on individuals and their employers in the Swedish workforce. Five items corresponding to three dimensions of PE were operationalized: contractual relationship insecurity, contractual temporariness, multiple jobs/sectors, income level, and lack of unionization. First, latent class analysis was applied and a typology of six employment types emerged. Second, a summative scale was constructed by scoring all PE-items. Results Three types of PE were found using the typological approach, which were characterized by direct employment, solo self-employment and multiple job holding, respectively. The summative scale score ranged between -10 and +2 (average: -1.8). Particularly poor scores were seen for solo self-employed, multiple job holders/multiple sectors, and low income. Female gender, young age, low education and foreign origin were prone to precariousness. PE was more frequent among certain economic sectors and occupations. Conclusions Using an existing register of labor market data, two operationalizations of PE were constructed and rendered promising for exposure assessment. Hence, the operationalizations could be of interest for countries with similar data structure. Both approaches highlighted precarious combinations of employment conditions and pointed towards the existence of a wide continuum of precariousness on the labor market. Etiological studies and research assessing trends over time are needed to validate these findings.

KW - Employment

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Research Design

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Sweden

U2 - 10.5271/sjweh.3928

DO - 10.5271/sjweh.3928

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32997147

VL - 47

SP - 117

EP - 126

JO - Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health

JF - Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health

SN - 0355-3140

IS - 2

ER -