Introduction:
Despite growing recognition of precarious work as a mental health issue, research gaps remain in understanding its complexity beyond objective and economic aspects. Recent literature emphasizes perceived precarity, which may have greater mental health impact than objective indicators. The work precarity framework (Allan et al., 2021) conceptualizes work precarity as a subjective experience of insecurity and powerlessness, with three key dimensions: precarity of work (e.g., job and employment insecurity), precarity at work (e.g., lack of psychosocial safety), and precarity from work (e.g., perceived income inadequacy).
Purpose:
This study provides empirical evidence on the work precarity framework, examining how each of its dimensions impacts mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and stress).
Method:
Data were collected via an online survey from 173 workers in the Balearic Islands (mean age = 42; 70% women; 64% with university or postgraduate degree). Job and employment insecurity were measured using the COPSOQ II (Moncada et al., 2013); lack of psychosocial safety with the PSC-12 (Hall et al., 2010); and perceived income inadequacy with an ad hoc scale. Mental health was assessed using the DASS-21 (Bados et al., 2005). All scales showed acceptable reliability (α = .83-.97). Structural equation modelling was conducted using AMOS.
Results:
All three dimensions of work precarity had significant negative effects on mental health. The model explained 27% of the variance in stress and 22% in both anxiety and depression. Precarity of work was the strongest overall predictor, precarity at work was more strongly associated with stress, and precarity from work was more closely related to depression.
Conclusions:
Findings support the subjective model of work precarity and its relevance for mental health, highlighting the need to incorporate psychological perspectives into the study of precarious work. Applied psychology can contribute to developing policies and interventions that promote decent work and sustainable work-life quality.