August 19, 2009 – Precarious employment increases the risk of suffering from psychological distress, according to a McGill University study presented recently in San Francisco, at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association1.
To reach this conclusion, medical sociologist Amélie Quesnel-Vallée and her team analyzed data collected from 1992 to 2002 by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Result: out of a thousand men and women, the 30 to 40 workers with precarious status show more symptoms of depression than their permanent counterparts.
“However, the data does not allow us to conclude that workers with precarious status suffer more from depression than others,” explains the researcher. But that confirms that they are in poorer psychological health. “
According to studies scrutinized by the sociologist, the insecurity resulting from job insecurity would explain why these workers experience more psychological distress than others.
Using a questionnaire, each profile was rated on a scale of 7 symptoms of depression, including sadness, insomnia and loss of appetite.
When considering all types of jobs, workers scored 3.5 to 4 points, on a scale of 21 (where the maximum indicates severe depression). But among workers with precarious status, the average is 2 points higher. Which is a significant difference, according to Ms. Quesnel-Vallée.
As the study was conducted in the United States, are we to believe that this reality only affects Americans?
“No, the results also apply to Canadians since the market and working conditions are very similar to those observed in the United States,” replied the Montreal researcher.
According to her, the proportion of workers with precarious status is even a little higher in Canada than among our neighbors. In 2002, 7% of the population had a full-time temporary job, according to Statistics Canada, or 3% more than in the United States.
Marie-Hélène Croisetière – PasseportSanté.net
1. On this subject, see the press release issued on August 10, 2009 by McGill University.
