The need for work: Jahodas latent functions of employment in a representative sample of the German population

Paul K, Batinic B (2009)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Journal

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Book Volume: 31

Pages Range: 45-64

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1002/job.622

Abstract

Marie Jahoda’s latent deprivation model was tested with a representative sample of the
German population (N¼998). As expected, employees reported high levels of time structure,
social contact, collective purpose, and activity not only in comparison to unemployed persons
but also in comparison to persons who are out of the labor force (i.e., students, homemakers,
retirees). Even unskilled manual workers reported more access to these ‘‘latent functions’’ than
persons without employment. For the fifth of Jahoda’s dimensions, identity/status, no
significant differences between employed persons and persons who are out of the labor force
could be identified. However, unemployed persons reported less status than all other groups
did. Thus, Jahoda’s model was clearly endorsed for four of the five latent functions of
employment and partly endorsed for the fifth function. All variables in the model correlated
significantly with distress, as expected. Demographic correlates of the manifest and latent
functions were also analyzed: Access to the latent functions was best among young men from
higher social classes who lived in an intimate relationship in a comparatively large household
with children.

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How to cite

APA:

Paul, K., & Batinic, B. (2009). The need for work: Jahodas latent functions of employment in a representative sample of the German population. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 31(1), 45-64. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/job.622

MLA:

Paul, Karsten, and Bernad Batinic. "The need for work: Jahodas latent functions of employment in a representative sample of the German population." Journal of Organizational Behavior 31.1 (2009): 45-64.

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