Paying it forward : an exploration of links from objectively and subjectively precarious work to wellbeing and social engagement : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Research around subjectively precarious work has largely focused on work-related outcomes for the sake of improving employee productivity and organisational commitment. While objectively precarious work conditions, such as low earnings, have been studied for their social consequences, subjective precariousness is comparatively under-researched. In the present study it was theorised that precarious work structures may have potential links to social outcomes that extend beyond the workplace. The study explored the subjective experience of work-related precariousness and how it interacted with earnings and perceived organisational support (POS) and linked with organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB), wellbeing and social engagement. The study found that the subjective experience of work-related precariousness a) predicted OCB, wellbeing and reciprocal trust (social engagement) b) fully mediated the link between POS and organisation-oriented OCB and partially mediated the link between POS and wellbeing and c) moderated links from earnings to organisation-oriented OCB and wellbeing and from POS to individual-oriented OCB and trust. Therefore the subjective experience of work-related precariousness was found to be a potentially pivotal variable through which the effects of precarious work on workers wellbeing and social engagement could be further explored in future research.