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Patterns of Contract Motives and Work Involvement in Temporary Work: Relationships to Work-Related and General Well-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Claudia Bernhard-Oettel

    (Stockholm University)

  • Kerstin Isaksson

    (Mälardalen University)

  • Katalin Bellaagh

    (National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm)

Abstract

Temporary work is characterized by heterogeneity, and contract motives and work involvement are believed to differentiate temporary workers, which may explain their divergence in terms of subjective well-being. Applying a person-oriented approach using questionnaire data from a sample of Swedish temporary workers ( N = 184), this study identified six patterns, characterized by distinct combinations of voluntary and involuntary contract motives and work involvement. While controlling for demo-graphics, comparative analyses found differences between these patterns in terms of work-related and general well-being. These findings indicate that knowledge about temporary work and its various consequences is enhanced by considering whole patterns instead of single variables in a person-oriented approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Bernhard-Oettel & Kerstin Isaksson & Katalin Bellaagh, 2008. "Patterns of Contract Motives and Work Involvement in Temporary Work: Relationships to Work-Related and General Well-Being," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 29(4), pages 565-591, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:29:y:2008:i:4:p:565-591
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X08096231
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    References listed on IDEAS

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