Jessica O'ConnorMillennials are more likely than any other generation to associate work with both personal confidence and a sense of purpose, according to research from income protection provider Cirencester Friendly.
The survey found that 85% of workers said being unable to work due to illness or injury would affect their personal confidence, with one in three (33%) reporting the impact would be major.
Just 8% believed it would have no effect at all, highlighting how closely work is tied to identity and self-worth for many people.
That link was the strongest among millennials.
More than nine in 10 (91%) millennial workers said being unable to work would affect their confidence, and 37% said it would have a major impact.
This compares with just 23% of Gen Z workers who said it would have a major effect.
Millennials were also the generation most likely to say their job gives them a sense of purpose.
Almost half (45%) strongly agreed that their work provides meaning, significantly higher than Gen Z (36%) and Gen X (30%).
The research also highlighted a gender divide.
Women were more likely than men to say that being unable to work would have a major impact on their personal confidence, with 38% of women saying this compared to 28% of men.
Only 6% of women believed it would have no effect at all.
Women were also slightly more likely to associate work with purpose, with 75% agreeing their job gives them a sense of meaning, compared to 69% of men.
The findings suggested that illness-related absence could widen existing confidence gaps, particularly given longstanding differences in self-esteem between men and women.
Alan Waddington, director of distribution at Cirencester Friendly, said: “Work has a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves and our worth.
“These results show that it is millennials, those people currently aged 28 to 43, who feel this most keenly.
“This is the generation that are likely to be settled in their careers with retirement still a far-off prospect.
“Work is often what defines them and if they are unable to play an active role in the economy due to illness or injury, they are likely to be deeply affected. To help them recover fully, it’s important we acknowledge this impact on their emotions.”
He addedL “This strong connection between work and self-esteem is why we’ve invested in providing additional support to claimants of all ages, providing extra services to help build their confidence and ensure when they are physically able to return to work, they are mentally fit to do so too.”
