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IJE Advance Access published online on February 28, 2005

International Journal of Epidemiology, doi:10.1093/ije/dyi024
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IJE © International Epidemiological Association 2005; all rights reserved.
Accepted December 21, 2004

Original paper

Temporary employment and health: a review

Marianna Virtanen 1*, Mika Kivimäki 2, Matti Joensuu 1, Pekka Virtanen 3, Marko Elovainio 4, and Jussi Vahtera 1

1 Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
2 Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland
3 Medical School, University of Tampere and Department of General Practice, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Finland
4 National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Helsinki, Finland

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Marianna Virtanen, E-mail: marianna.virtanen{at}occuphealth.fi


   Abstract

Objectives We aimed to review evidence on the relationship between temporary employment and health, and to see whether the association is dependent on outcome measure, instability of employment, and contextual factors.

Method We systematically searched for studies of temporary employment and various health outcomes and critically appraised 27 studies.

Results The review suggests higher psychological morbidity among temporary workers compared with permanent employees. According to some studies, temporary workers also have a higher risk of occupational injuries but their sickness absence is lower. Morbidity may be higher in temporary jobs with high employment instability and in countries with a lower number of temporary workers and unemployed workers.

Conclusions 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: Employment status; health; labour market; morbidity; mortality; socioeconomic factors.
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