Why jobs are important to an economy

According to available evidence, job insecurity is associated with lower mental health. In contrast, some features of job indicate good psychological health. From a psychological standpoint, these qualities comprise "excellent work."

Stable, long-term employment is related with improved mental health and functioning, as well as greater earnings and better benefits. Although the picture is complicated since some individuals with better social statuses and larger economic means desire more flexible working circumstances, temporary labor often causes financial pressure and perceived job insecurity for persons at the bottom of the economic ladder. Such stresses may cause a great deal of emotional stress, which can lead to persistent depression, drug misuse, and anxiety.

A livable wage — the minimal income required to meet basic requirements – is linked to improved mental health outcomes. The United States has the highest percentage in the industrialized world of individuals who work but are nevertheless poor, either because they do not work enough hours or because their incomes are too low. Women, Blacks, Latinos, those with less education, service workers, and parents with small children make up a disproportionate number of the working poor. Poverty is linked to unfavorable psychological effects such as drug misuse and mental suffering, particularly in children. According to research, when families start earning a decent income, their well-being and psychological functioning increase dramatically.

Workplaces devoid of harassment, discrimination, and abuse are connected with improved mental health outcomes — and such workplaces may be particularly crucial for low-income workers and members of stigmatized groups, such as transgender and gender nonconforming employees (who still have no federal protections against workplace discrimination). Some data shows that workplace safeguards may mitigate the effect of hazardous working circumstances.

Full employment improves employees' health and well-being. Although the United States today has a low unemployment rate, many of the jobs created since the 2008 financial crisis are for individuals who are underemployed — that is, they are working part-time or at tasks that do not need their experience, abilities, or education. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics considers someone to be employed if they have a job, however many of these employees have part-time jobs when they require full-time work. Underemployment is frequently associated with worse mental health and well-being, maybe because underemployed persons are unable to satisfy their fundamental necessities. Working the appropriate amount of hours while fully using one's talents and abilities is a crucial component of job that enhances mental health.