The Remarkably Good Health of the Self-Employed

The Effect of Informal Care Provided by Children on Health in Nursing Homes

“…Self-employed workers are generally in better health (Sewdas et al, 2018;Algava et al, 2013;Stephan & Roesler, 2010). The health demand model (Grossman, 1972) predicts in this case that greater prevention efforts are made because the time required for prevention activities (when in good health) is higher.…”

Combining Work and a Pension – Individual Determining Factors and Combiners’ Profiles

“…Although Schumpeter (1911) advocated the case for 'the wild spirit' for economic performance a century ago, the arguments in favour of health are fairly recent. The literature widely acknowledges that self-employed workers (SEW) are generally healthier (Sewdas et al, 2018;Algava et al, 2013;Stephan & Roesler, 2010), with lower mortality rate (Lallo & Raitano, 2018;Toivanen et al, 2016;Algava et al, 2011), and lower demand for healthcare than other categories of workers (Riphahn et al, 2003;Gruber & Kiesel, 2010). SEW's lower level of demand for healthcare seems to be explained by lower healthcare needs.…”

Work-Related Outcomes in Self-Employed Cancer Survivors: A European Multi-country Study

“…(response alternatives "no" and "yes") 3 Single question: "Would you say that your job is mentally demanding?" (response alternatives "no" and "yes") 4 Single question from Work Ability Index, mean of current work ability compared with lifetime best (score range 0 -10, higher score = better work ability) 5 Single question: "Overall, are you satisfied with your job?" (response alternatives "no" and "yes") 6 Measured using the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer survivors (QWLQ-CS) (score range 0-100; higher score = better quality of working life) 7 Short Form-12 questionnaire on health related quality of life (score range 0 -100; higher score = better quality of life) 8 EORTC-QLQ30 global health score (score range 0 -100; higher score = better quality of life) 9 FACT-G plus FACT-HN (score range 0 -156; higher score = better quality of life) 10 Single question: "Overall, how do you think you are doing?"…”

“…<0.001 --Salaried 86 64 81 Dash (-) = not reported. The Dutch studies (Ne1 and Ne2) are omitted because they did not collect data on any of these outcomes 1 Among those who took time off work due to cancer 2 Occupational change in the past six years 3 Only people who were in work at diagnosis and not in work at survey were asked this question 4 Receipt of sick pay from employer/business; provision of sick pay is discretionary 5 Participants were asked whether finances affected their work decisions 6 > 9 months on sick leave after cancer diagnosis 7 Receipt of sick pay (statutory, contractual or discretionary) 1 Dash (-) = not reported. The Finnish study (Fi1) is omitted because it did not collect data on any of these outcomes 1 Percent of people working after cancer who reduced their working hours at survey compared to at diagnosis 2 In all countries, salaried workers are either allowed or encouraged by public authorities or health professionals to return to work after sickness for reduced number of hours if needed 3 Mean reduction in working hours at survey compared to at diagnosis, averaged over those who reported reduced hours 4 Status at time of diagnosis…”

“…In Europe, the self-employed now comprise on average 15% of workers [2]. Around two-thirds of self- Perceived advantages of self-employment include freedom and decision-making autonomy and high job satisfaction [3,4]. It has also been shown that self-employed people report better mental and physical health than salaried workers [5].…”