The Impact of Flexible Work on Young Workers' Health: Longitudinal Evidence From South Korea.

Park, Sungjin; Lee, June-Hee · J Occup Environ Med · 2025

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the association between flexible work arrangements (FWA) and changes in self-rated health (SRH) among young adults using a repeated measures design. This longitudinal study used data from 5361 South Korean young adults (aged 19-28) participating in the 2021 and 2022 waves of the Youth Panel 2021. Generalized estimating equations assessed the relationship between time-varying FWA participation and SRH. Covariates included age group, sex, education level, and weekly working hours. FWA was significantly associated with an increased odds of poor SRH (odds ratio = 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.16-1.99, P = 0.002), even after adjusting for demographic factors and working hours. FWA may negatively impact young workers' health. Policies should integrate workload management and promote sustainable working conditions to balance flexibility with well-being, particularly for early-career workers.

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