Happiness among Nonstandard Employees in Europe: The Role of the Worker’s Value Orientation and Sources of Social Support

Abstract

This study explored self-reported happiness among nonstandard (part-time, temporary, and no-contract) employees in Europe. Rooted in Theory of basic individual values and the modified Buffer hypothesis, it focused on the role of worker’s value orientation and sources of social support/social buffers. Data stemmed from European Social Survey 2018 and Eurostat datasets, and was analyzed using multilevel modeling. As an introductory insight, “feeling good”, i.e., happiness was found associated with the respondents’ age, sex, and income – in favor of younger employees, women, and those with higher salaries. The value orientation identified as beneficial for happiness included being an “open hedonist” and not caring much about being “powerful”. Related to social buffers, happiness was positively associated with household-provided support, whereas support from welfare state policies, trade unions, and prosperous socio-economic environment had no effect.