Fluctuation in income and health behaviour in different SES groups and the role of financial strain.

Abstract

In view of the increasing flexibility in the labour market, there is increasing number of people experiencing economic uncertainty and fluctuation in their household income. This has consequences for people’s health. Goal of this research was to examine the relationship between fluctuation in income and health behaviour between different SES groups and the role of financial strain. Therefore, a binary logistic regression was performed, including three health-behaviour outcome measures, i.e. smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity The Globe 2014 questionnaire was used to conduct this research. A total of three analyses were performed; the first one investigated the relationship between fluctuation in income and health behaviours. In the second analyses two interaction terms were tested to investigate fluctuation in income in different SES groups. The third and final analysis added financial strain as an assumed mediating factor. The analyses showed that an increasing income is associated with a greater likelihood of alcohol consumption. A decreasing income appeared to be associated with a greater likelihood to smoke and to comply with the exercise guidelines. Participants with an increasing high income appeared to have twice as much chance of consuming alcohol as participants with a high stable income. Financial strain appeared as a mediating factor between fluctuation in income and smoking and alcohol consumption as health behaviour outcomes. This study confirms already known results from scientific research on health behaviour among SES groups, however it provides novel theoretical insights into the role of fluctuation in income. In addition, regarding to physical activity some striking results have been presented. This study shows that in light of the increase in flexible labour contracts, it is important for employers to balance the costs and benefits of flexible labour contracts against the costs of potential health risks of employees.