Insecurity related to working life by age groups in Finland and Estonia inthe 1990s

This article compares the reasons for insecurity related to working life in different age groups in Finland and Estonia, and the coping strategies evi dent in the two countries. Insecurity related to working life is more commo n in Finland than in Estonia, The differences between the two countries are more distinct with respect to experienced work-related insecurity than to an experienced lack of well-being linked to work. This shows that feelings of insecurity are affected not only by external factors, but also by intern al factors linked to a person's earlier development. The most common causes of insecurity for people of working age are unemployment, mental strain an d difficulties in interpersonal relationships at the work place. The indivi dual's willingness to find means of coping at work is more clearly evident in Estonia than in Finland. People of working age in Finland are more likel y to attempt to change the external conditions of work than are their Eston ian counterparts.