Perceived Job Insecurity and Health: Do Duration and Timing Matter?

I examine whether the health penalties of perceived job insecurity are influenced by the duration of the experience and the age at which it is encountered. Analyses of a national panel data set of Americans (N = 1,065) reveal a decrease in health among workers reporting persistent exposure to the threat of job loss; however, these health penalties are experienced unevenly across age groups, with young workers (18–34) reporting the fewest health penalties in response to persistent insecurity. In contrast, while insecure middle-aged and older workers report similar levels of psychological distress and self-rated health, the former are more adversely affected with respect to their emotional well-being. I discuss potential cohort and life stage interpretations for these age patterns in the stress of insecure work.