June 17-18, 2021
Sonja Scheuring presented her current work within the SECCOPA project on “Examining Longer-Term Dynamics of the Effects of Fixed-Term Employment Trajectories on Subjective Well-Being in Germany” at the 4th Joint Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference organized by Tilburg University. This conference brings together PhD students from Germany (BAGSS), the Netherlands (Tilburg University), Italy (University of Trento) and Spain (DemoSoc, University of Pompeu Fabra) and offers excellent opportunities for international scientific exchange.
She presented a current SECCOPA paper which examines both immediate and longer-term consequences of fixed-term employment trajectories on subjective well-being. Utilizing the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) from 1994 to 2018, she applies sequence analysis methods to define five-year employment sequences that best fit common theoretical concepts. Thus, the treatment definition is dynamic and longer-term. The stable and permanent trajectory characterizes the standard employment career that begins in and remains in permanent employment. The stepping stone trajectory includes individuals who start in temporary employment and then move to permanent employment. The entrapment trajectory includes individuals who start in fixed-term employment and remain in it or even become unemployed. The long-term unemployment trajectory includes individuals who are unemployed for five consecutive years. She combines the results of the sequence analysis with fixed-effects growth curve models to examine outcome dynamics both in parallel with the development of trajectories and up to three years later. First results of the SECCOPA presentation by Sonja Scheuring emphasize the advantages of fixed-term employment regarding well-being when compared to unemployment and no disadvantages when compared to permanent employment contracts.
We are grateful for the great organization by Tilburg University and to receive valuable feedback from other researchers in the session on “Early careers” chaired by Michiel van Rijn. We especially thank the discussants Peter Achterberg and Filippo Gioachin for their detailed feedback on our work as well as the audience for helpful comments and suggestions!