Precarious employment trajectories, psychosocial risks, and mental wellbeing

Research project description

PhD will investigate the role of precarious employment trajectories, job insecurity, and the deterioration of psychosocial working conditions as key determinants of mental health and mental health inequalities, from an interdisciplinary perspective (sociology of work, epidemiology, occupational health).  

The project is grounded in the framework of social determinants of health, which emphasizes the influence of socioeconomic factors, such as the configuration of the employment relationship, on the prevalence of mental health disorders. This issue gains relevance in light of the prevailing neoliberal trend towards labour market “flexibilization”, which engenders substandard employment and working conditions that contribute to the current mental health crisis. 

The project aims to delve into the intricate relationship between job insecurity, precariousness in employment conditions, exposure to psychosocial risks at work, and social inequality (considering aspects such as social class, gender, origin, age, and their intersections) in relation to mental health and wellbeing. It adopts a longitudinal and life-course perspective to examine the dynamic interplay among these factors. 

To achieve this objective, we propose the utilization of mixed-methods research. We provide the opportunity to use quantitative longitudinal panel data generated by the research groups that the prospective PhD candidate would join. In addition, we will provide support to collect qualitative data to delve into the workers’ experiences in the employment domain and their perceptions on how and why it affects their mental health and wellbeing. 

Within these broad parameters and under the guidance of their supervisors, the PhD candidate will have the flexibility to define the specific focus and orientation of the thesis project based on his or her individual research interests. 

Academic background / Skills

Candidates must hold a degree that allows admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB.  

Additional requirements for a stronger application are: 

Within the interdisciplinary framework of the project, we expect the candidate to have a background in social sciences (preferably but not limited to sociology) or public health.

Strong methodological skills are required, particularly for the analysis of quantitative data, but skills for the production and analysis of qualitative data will also be valued.

In addition, we will value interest to develop high-quality academic research while also producing a social impact.

Supervisors will provide training in those aspects where the candidate may have some weaknesses.  

Research group/s description

The research group on psychosocial risks, work organization and health of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (POWAH-UAB) is a multidisciplinary group composed by epidemiologists, sociologists, biostatisticians and public health professionals from the faculties of medicine and political science and sociology. Its main research focus is the study of the effect of exposures to psychosocial risks at work on the workers’ health.  

On the other hand, the Sociological Research Centre on Everyday Life and Work (QUIT) aims to promote, develop and disseminate research around work and broad work-related issues, Its main research themes are: Time, work and everyday life; Employment and changes in the labour market; Gender and work; Local development policies; Industrial relations and labour Organization; Methological innovation and development; Mobility and social inequalities 

Both POWAH and QUIT research groups are part of the UAB Institute for Labour Studies (IET).