Flexploitation or flexibilisation? - A cross-sectional study of youth well-being in a changing labour market

Abstract: Author: Emil Bengtsson Title: Flexploitation or flexibilisation? - A cross-sectional study of youth well-being in a changing labour market. Supervisor: Max Koch Assessors: Roberto Scaramuzzino & Katarina Jacobsson The aim of this study was to explore the development of well-being among youth in the Nordic countries in relation to changing labour market conditions. The dimensions of focus constituted subjective and personal accounts of physiological and psychological well-being. The study was based on perspectives and previous studies on labour market participation and employment standards and the influence of such factors for the well-being of individuals. Theory on the associations of such factors were constructed and tested through quantitative analysis making use of data from the European Social Survey in a cross-sectional study. Much in accordance with the theorized associations Employment, Income and Education was shown to be positive predictors of Health. Additionally, work satisfaction and satisfaction with work-life balance was related to higher psychological and physiological well-being. Despite previous studies suggesting that rising non-standard employment (NSE) arrangements such as limited contracts and lower employment security are causing ill-health, no such changes could be identified in neither the youth population in the Nordic countries nor in Europe. There were further no significant correlations between NSE contracts and the operationalized well-being measure of Health made use of in the undertaken multiple regression analysis. These findings could suggest that non-standard employment and the flexibilisation of the labour market does not have as adverse effects for the well-being of youth and perhaps not even for the greater population. The flexible non-standard employments might have become the new standard.