A typological approach of perceived resource fluctuations after job transitions in a representative panel study

ABSTRACT

Job and career transitions are unique experiences that vary within and between persons. One possible reason for the differential effects of transitions is that they can involve resource gains, losses, conservation, or a combination thereof. This study investigates perceived resource fluctuation patterns as possible reasons for differential health outcomes in a representative German panel study (n = 2296). Participants compared six characteristics of their new job with their previous one in three categories (better, same, or worse): (1) job security, (2) working hour regulations, (3) workload, (4) use of professional knowledge, (5) advancement opportunities, and (6) earnings. We conducted multilevel latent class analyses (LCA) with mental and physical health as distal outcomes. Results showed a four-class solution with different probabilities of endorsing that job conditions have fluctuated after the transition. Results also indicated important nuances between the latent classes in terms of mental and physical health outcomes. This study adds to a growing body of knowledge concerning the important role resource fluctuations, and the interplay of various resource dynamics play in the sustenance of mental and physical health. Results also provide implications for career guidance, as well as dealing with organizational newcomers to ensure their well-being, and therefore also their performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Job transitions
• resource gains and losses
• latent class analysis
• mental health
• physical health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Data accessibility

The German Socio-Economic Panel Study data are available to researchers through the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW).

Additional information

Funding

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany supported this research as part of the Research Project “Non-monetary benefits of education – Interactions of education, health, and ability to work (IBiGA)”.