Precarious work as situated occupation: exploratory study of workers’ experiences in the context of the Spanish economic crisis

Introduction: From an occupational perspective, employment or work is conceived as a positive and significant occupation in the life of human beings. Throughout the development of the profession, work has been conceptualized as a goal and a means for recovering, focusing on its potential for (re)integrating people with physical and mental disabilities into the labor market. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding work as an occupation when it is precarious. Objective: Adopting a critical and occupational justice perspective, the aim of this study is to explore and problematize the relationship between precarious work, health, and well-being, based on the experience of four individuals. Method: Participants’ experiences of precarious work were gathered through two semi-structured interviews with each participant. Data was analyzed using a qualitative exploratory design, constant comparison techniques, and applying a kaleidoscope metaphor. Results: The findings describe the context of precarious work, its effects on the health and well-being of the participants, and the meanings that participants attribute to their work. Conclusion: This study problematizes the positive and significant relationship between work, health, and well-being implicit in the occupational therapy literature. This research contributes to the development of more complex understandings of work as an occupation that not only involves personal experiences, but also interrelates with socio-economic and political contexts