Temporary employment and health: a review
International Journal of EpidemiologyPublished 28 February 2005
Marianna Virtanen, Mika Kivimäki, Matti Joensuu, Pekka Virtanen, Marko Elovainio, Jussi Vahtera
Citations770
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score2.69
SNIP2.48
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TL;DR
The evidence indicates an association between temporary employment and psychological morbidity and the health risk may depend on instability of temporaryemployment and the context.
Abstract
The evidence indicates an association between temporary employment and psychological morbidity. The health risk may depend on instability of temporary employment and the context. Confounding by occupation may have biased some of the studies. Additional research to clarify the role of employment instability, hazard accumulation, and selection is recommended.
Keywords
Social SciencesHealth Professions
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