Mental health as a determinant of work: a scoping review on the impact of mental health on precarious employment

Abstract

Background: While many studies have examined the impact of precarious employment on mental health, the reverse relationship has received less attention.

Objectives: The objectives of this scoping review were to ascertain the existing literature examining the impact of mental health on precarious employment and to describe, synthesise, and critically appraise it.

Methods: Business Source Premier, EconLit, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched from 1 January 1980 to 30 August 2024. Additionally, searches were undertaken in Google and specific websites; references of key papers were also examined. Relevant data were extracted from studies, and their quality was assessed, namely whether they accounted for endogeneity. Evidence was synthesised by mental disorder/illness/problem using a narrative synthesis approach.

Results: After duplicates were removed, the search yielded 10,048 unique records; ultimately, 19 relevant papers, corresponding to 20 unique studies, were deemed relevant. Few specifically focused on mental health as a determinant of precarious employment and/or recognised the potential presence of endogeneity. Studies found mixed evidence on the relationship between mental health and precarious employment. While the evidence suggests that psychological distress and mental health complaints likely increase the probability of precarious employment, anxiety and emotional exhaustion likely do not. The evidence on depressive disorders is mixed/inconclusive.

Conclusion: Some of the existing literature suggests that people with poor mental health may be at a higher risk of precarious employment; however, in some instances, the evidence was either mixed/inconclusive or absent. More high-quality studies are needed to inform clear policy recommendations.

Keywords: Mental health; Precarious employment; Scoping review.