The Effect of Work Flexibility and Perceived Platform Fairness on Psychological Distress via Job Insecurity Among Go-Ride Driver-Partners on the Island of Java

Dinda Pramudyva Atilla Imannaya, Diki Putra Setianto, Dhiyan Septa Wihara

Abstract


This study analyzes the effect of work flexibility and perceived platform fairness on psychological distress among Go-Ride driver-partners in Java, with job insecurity as a mediating variable. Using a quantitative explanatory design and PLS-SEM analysis with SmartPLS 4, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from active drivers. The findings show that job insecurity significantly increases psychological distress and serves as a key mediating mechanism in the model. Work flexibility is found to increase both job insecurity and psychological distress, indicating a paradox within gig work conditions. Meanwhile, perceived platform fairness reduces job insecurity and psychological distress, highlighting its protective role in platform-based work environments. Overall, the study confirms that psychological distress in the gig economy is strongly shaped by job insecurity as a central mechanism linking platform work characteristics to workers’ mental health.


Keywords


Gig economy; Go-Ride drivers; Job insecurity; Perceived platform fairness; PLS-SEM; Psychological distress; Work flexibility

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ijdb.v6i1.103532

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