Two is worse than one: the mediating role of precariousness of life in the association between qualitative job insecurity and distress among Italian temporary employees

Nowadays, the labor market’s instability and flexibility has led to increased feelings of uncertainty, insecurity, and precariousness in the workforce. With respect to psychological health, available studies focused mainly on the consequences related to the fear of job loss as a whole (i.e., quantitative job insecurity), in comparison to the consequences of the threat of losing valued job features (i.e., qualitative job insecurity). Understanding the psychological mechanisms that explain the process of stress experiences derived from qualitative job insecurity may contribute to identifying ways to promote healthier workplaces. The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of the precariousness of life in the relationship between qualitative job insecurity and mental distress i.e., emotional exhaustion and psychological symptoms. Precariousness of life is a pervasive syndrome among temporary employees affecting their daily life. The Conservation of Resources (COR) and dual labor market theories were used as the theoretical framework to draw the research hypotheses. The sample was composed of 272 white and blue collar Italian temporary employees. The results of structural equation modelling revealed that qualitative job insecurity was positively and significantly related to emotional exhaustion and psychological symptoms. Furthermore, these relationships were mediated by precariousness of life. The goodness of fit indices of mediation model were satisfactory and indirect effects were significant, therefore supporting our hypotheses. This study provided additional evidence concerning job insecurity as it focused on temporary workers, examining the effects on mental health by qualitative job insecurity via precariousness of life. Practical implications are discussed.