Entrepreneurs’ Mental Health and Well-Being: A Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

Interest in entrepreneurs' mental health and well-being (MWB) is growing in recognition of the role of MWB in entrepreneurs' decision-making, motivation and action. Yet relevant knowledge is dispersed across disciplines, which makes it unclear what we currently understand about entrepreneurs' MWB. In this systematic review I integrate insights from 144 empirical studies. These studies show that research is focused on three research questions: (1) Do different types of entrepreneur differ in their MWB? What are the (2) antecedents and (3) consequences of entrepreneurs' MWB? The review systematizes evidence on known antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurs' MWB but also reveals overlooked and undertheorized sources and outcomes of entrepreneurs' MWB. The review provides a mapping and framework that advance research on entrepreneurs' MWB and help to position entrepreneurs' MWB more centrally in management and entrepreneurship research. It calls for researchers to go beyond applying models developed for employees to understand entrepreneurs' MWB. Instead, the findings point the way to developing a dedicated theory of entrepreneurial work and MWB that is dynamic, socialized, open to considering context, and acknowledges variability and fluidity across entrepreneurs' life domains, as well as the centrality of work for entrepreneurs' identity.

Small business owners and health

“…Clearly, the same holds true for all other professions. The difference is that in the case of small business owners these effects may be more pronounced and that, given the societal and economic importance of small businesses, the type, the antecedents, and the consequences of both pathogenic and salutogenic effects are heavily underresearched (Torrès 2012a;Stephan 2018).…”

“…For wider and more systematic overviews, we refer to Torrès (2012a) and Stephan (2018), respectively. The present section deals with health capital and its spillover effects.…”

“…In her literature survey of types, antecedents, and consequences of the general mental well-being of entrepreneurs, Stephan (2018) discriminates between six broad categories: work characteristics (64 studies); personality traits; values and other personal resources (54 studies); firm and financial characteristics (37 studies); social support and stressors (25 studies); market and country context (26 studies); and physical context (four studies). She presents the antecedents according to whether they have positive effects (resources) or negative effects (stressors or vulnerabilities) on entrepreneurs' general mental well-being.…”

“…This lacuna is sometimes described as follows: there appear to be more data and studies of the health of the blue whale than of entrepreneurs (Torrès 2012a). In view of the economic importance of small businesses in developed and developing economies, the health of small business owners is slowly becoming a public issue (Torrès 2012a;Vinberg et al 2012;Stephan and Roesler 2010;Stephan 2018).…”

“…The list of pathogenic candidates is nearly endless including role conflicts, work family balance issues, and financial problems (Stephan 2018). Antonovsky (1979Antonovsky ( , 1987 was the first to show the beneficial effect of working life in a world where the negative effects such as mortality, morbidity, incapacity, and invalidity dominated.…”