Physical and Psychological Costs of Social Class Imprint At Work: Role of Organizations In Explaining The Socioeconomic Status - Health Relationship

Authors:

Abstract: Individuals growing up in more disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds tend to have poorer health outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We examine how childhood class background manifests in workplace experiences to impact adult health. We theorize that those from lower-class backgrounds end up in jobs with longer hours and less autonomy, which partially explain poorer health. Using data from the European Social Survey (n = 32,766) and a survey of Indian professionals (n = 516), we found support for this perspective. Individuals from lower-class families worked more contracted hours and overtime. They also reported lower job control compared to upper-class peers in similar roles. Further, longer hours and reduced autonomy were linked to poorer self-rated health, mediating the class background effects. By integrating research on relative deprivation and occupational conditions, we provide an account of why those from lower-class backgrounds continue facing health issues despite achieving occupational success. Implications suggest organizations may unknowingly enable the reproduction of inequality by structuring excessive demands and stratified control. Overall, we clarify a critical yet underexplored pathway through which childhood class impacts adult wellbeing via workplace experiences.

Track: DEI

Keywords: : Individual differences, Workplace health and wellbeing, Work/Job characteristics