Socio-Ecological Factors and Well-Being among Self-Employed in Europe during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Josefine Hansson, Mikael Nordenmark, Åsa Tjulin, Bodil J. Landstad and Stig Vinberg
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Josefine Hansson: Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden
Mikael Nordenmark: Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden
Åsa Tjulin: Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden
Bodil J. Landstad: Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden
Stig Vinberg: Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: Background: The self-employed are at increased risk of negative well-being outcomes when facing adversity such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies that examine socio-ecological factors that may protect their well-being are warranted. Methods: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of European self-employed people ( n = 1665). The WHO-5 Well-being Index was used to examine the impact on well-being of factors at four socio-ecological levels. Independent sample t -tests, Pearson correlations and linear regression were applied to analyse differences between groups of self-employed and interactions between variables using SPSS. Results: Well-being and the socio-ecological factors of resilience, social support, useful work and finding the rules clear were positively correlated with well-being. For self-employed who reported that it was challenging to run their business during the pandemic, social support and finding rules clear were of significantly greater importance to their well-being. Conclusions: The findings highlight that the socio-ecological factors of resilience, social support, doing useful work and finding the rules clear affect well-being. The results also indicate that it is vital to consider factors at multiple socio-ecological levels to improve the well-being of the self-employed during adversity.

Keywords: self-employed; pandemic; socio-ecological model; small business; resilience; social support; useful work; clear rules (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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