Title
Young and going strong?: A longitudinal study on occupational health among young employees of different educational levels
Author
Akkermans, J.
Brenninkmeijer, V.
van den Bossche, S.N.J.
Blonk, R.W.B.
Schaufeli, W.B.
Publication year
2013
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify job characteristics that determine young employees' wellbeing, health, and performance, and to compare educational groups. Design/methodology/approach: Using the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and 2-wave longitudinal data (n=1,284), the paper compares employees with a lower educational level with employees with a high educational level. Findings: Young employees with lower educational level reported fewer job resources (autonomy and social support), more physical demands, less dedication, more emotional exhaustion, and poorer health and performance compared with the highly educated group. Differences were also found between educational groups in the relationships in the JD-R model, most notably a reciprocal association between dedication and performance, and between emotional exhaustion and performance in the group with lower levels of education. Research limitations/implications: The results support the main processes of the JD-R model, supporting its generalizability. However, differences were found between educational groups, implying that the motivational and health impairment processes differ across educational levels. Practical implications: HR consultants and career counselors may focus especially on increasing job resources and motivation for young employees with lower educational level. Performing well is also important for these young workers to become more dedicated and less exhausted. Social implications: It is important to recognize and intervene on unique characteristics of different educational groups with regard to wellbeing, health, and performance in order to maintain a healthy and productive young workforce. Originality/value: For the first time, predictions of the JD-R model are tested among young employees with different educational backgrounds. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Subject
Organisation
SP - Sustainable Productivity WH - Work & Health
BSS - Behavioural and Societal Sciences
Work and Employment
Workplace
Healthy Living
Education
JD-R model
Job characteristics
Occupational health and safety
Wellbeing
Young employees
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:b829db6c-0d16-4df5-8c6d-dfe365ba4239
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1108/cdi-02-2013-0024
TNO identifier
478835
ISSN
1362-0436
Source
Career Development International, 18 (4), 416-435
Document type
article