Generational differences in self-employment: work characteristics, health, work-family, and satisfaction

Abstract

This paper examines self-employment by generational cohort (millennials, generation X, baby boomers, and matures) in relation to work variables, health variables, work-family variables, and life and job satisfaction. The analyses used data from a national probability sample (n = 738 self-employed), the National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW). Significant differences were found between generational groups of self-employed for most of the major study variables (e.g., hours worked, job pressure, work-family conflict). We also found that the study variables (e.g., autonomy, turnover intentions) predicted job satisfaction in self-employment. Limitations, implications, and directions for future research are discussed.