Research project S4P/25/BE-WISE (Research action S4P)
Self-employed workers are a pillar of our Belgian economy, but face complex administrative and fiscal pressures and a low workability, often affecting their mental wellbeing. BE WISE aims to develop evidence-based strategies to improve this mental wellbeing by examining the effect of regulatory frameworks and policies on a representative sample of Self-Employed Workers in Belgium. Over the course of three years, we will conduct three complementary studies that will provide comprehensive insights into this critical issue.
- Study 1 focuses on international best practices, employing literature review and expert interviews to understand transnational differences and successful approaches in self-employed policies. Through in-depth case studies and expert consultation, we will identify effective policy frameworks that support independent workers' wellbeing. This foundational study will illuminate how different regions approach the challenge of balancing regulatory requirements with mental health considerations.
- Study 2 builds upon these insights through a large-scale qualitative investigation of policies affecting independent workers. We will first construct a detailed policy inventory through Belgian expert interviews, then conduct multiple in-depth interviews with self-employed individuals to assess the frequency and impact of their encounters with these policies through time. This study aims to collect multiple waves of data from a representative sample of Belgian independent workers, enabling us to create comprehensive tables documenting different policies' fiscal and administrative burdens. The analysis will specifically examine how these policies affect various wellbeing outcomes and identify which have the most adverse impacts on independent workers' mental health.
- Study 3 examines the directionality of policy effects through a longitudinal quantitative investigation. This study will follow self-employed individuals over 1 year to understand how specific policies influence wellbeing over time. We will investigate various elements that may decrease the negative effects of policies on wellbeing (incl. personal factors, coping style and network). Our focus on a wide set of wellbeing parameters (incl. perceived wellbeing and physiological parameters) provides comprehensive and novel insights. This approach will help us identify which factors might diminish negative policy impacts and understand the state of current coping mechanisms among independent workers.
The comprehensive nature of our approach, combining international best practices analysis with both qualitative and quantitative longitudinal studies, will provide robust evidence for policy recommendations. Furthermore, our focus on coping mechanisms and moderators will support preventative care strategies, offering valuable insights for future policy development and monitoring. Together, our three studies will: (1) establish directionality in relationships between policies and wellbeing, (2) identify policies with the most adverse impacts, (3) cast a wide net on a large sample of different types of independent workers, and (4) develop evidence-based recommendations in collaboration with FPS social security and its partners. Our research design ensures representation across various sectors, geographic areas, and business types, incorporating both established and starter independent workers, and with differing perceived wellbeing.
This research will culminate in clear, actionable insights about which policy parameters are most crucial for independent workers' wellbeing, enabling the development of targeted indicators for ongoing monitoring of policy impacts on mental health. The project’s dissemination strategy ensures that findings on self-employed workers’ mental wellbeing reach both scientific and non-scientific stakeholders through a coordinated multi-channel approach. For the scientific community, results will be shared via open-access publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and presentations at leading national and international conferences, ensuring academic visibility and ongoing dialogue. For policymakers, professional associations, and self-employed worker networks, the project will produce a policy report with a lay summary and concrete legislative recommendations. A final closing event will present the findings, a policy toolbox, and monitoring indicators, combined with training sessions to facilitate practical uptake. Additional outreach—through podcasts, video materials, social media, press releases, and user-friendly infographics—will maximize awareness, support evidence-based policymaking, and ensure long-term impact beyond the project’s duration.
