Research Paper

Zeroed down: the effects of zero-hours contracts on mental health and the mechanisms behind them

By Thomas Keely

Publication details

Publication date
Series or book
University of Aberdeen. Centre for European Labour Market Research Discussion Papers in Economics and Finance
Series or chapter number
21-3
Pages
pp. 1–48
Publisher
University of Aberdeen. Centre for European Labour Market Research
ISSN
1434543
View on abdn.pure.elsevier.com

Summary

This paper investigates the impacts of zero-hours contracts (ZHCs) on mental health and the factors behind this impact. Current ZHC research is lacking, and considering their rapid rise and harmful characteristics, there is cause for concern. 2018-2019 data from Understanding Society is used, and analysis finds a highly significant result that the mental health of zero-hours workers is, on average, 12.2% worse than other workers. Income insecurity and low job satisfaction are identified as mechanisms through which ZHCs harm wellbeing. This paper corroborates previous findings that ZHCs are detrimental to health and builds upon such research by identifying harmful attributes.

Topics