Research pertaining to the mental well-being of entrepreneurs has been increasingly receiving attention, albeit with a gap in understanding the impact of entrepreneurship on mental health in emerging economies. The study’s objective is to fill this void by examining the relationship between entrepreneurship and mental well-being, incorporating data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) spanning from 2010 to 2021. By investigating the mediating effects of work autonomy and subjective socioeconomic status (SES), the study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis. The results indicate that entrepreneurs exhibit higher levels of positive mental well-being and lower levels of negative mental well-being in comparison to paid employees. Moreover, the study underscores the substantial mediating role played by subjective SES in the relationship between entrepreneurship and mental well-being, surpassing that of work autonomy. These outcomes accentuate the significance of SES-related psychological functioning in reinforcing entrepreneurs’ mental well-being in the Chinese context.
The preeminence of workplace mental disorders on a global scale, particularly in emerging economies, cannot be understated. A substantial percentage of working adults experience mental disorders, with a significant impact on economic and social realms. In China, the incidence of workplace depression among employees is substantial, amplifying the need to comprehend risk factors associated with workplace mental disorders in order to impede their transmission. While prior research has concentrated on mental well-being in paid employment, there is a burgeoning interest in understanding the mental well-being of entrepreneurs, who grapple with substantial stress and demands. However, the majority of research on entrepreneurs’ mental well-being emanates from studies conducted in developed countries, engendering a dearth of evidence on how entrepreneurship affects mental well-being in emerging economies. Against the backdrop of burgeoning entrepreneurial activities in emerging economies, particularly in China, this gap warrants attention. This study endeavors to examine the impact of entrepreneurship on mental well-being employing a nationally representative dataset from China, traversing the realms of self-determination theory (SDT). The study proffers pivotal insights into the mental well-being dividends of entrepreneurship and the role of psychological functioning in bolstering the well-being of entrepreneurs.
Guided by the self-determination theory (SDT), the study posits that the satisfaction of basic psychological needs is pivotal for individuals’ physical and mental well-being. Accordingly, psychological functioning assumes a critical role in influencing individuals’ life satisfaction and mental well-being. Employing this framework, entrepreneurship is conceptualized as a vehicle for achieving autonomy at work and pursuing a higher socioeconomic status. It is hypothesized that work autonomy and subjective SES act as mediating variables in the relationship between entrepreneurship and mental well-being. Delving into the methodology, the study harnessed data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) conducted between 2010 and 2021, encompassing information on entrepreneurship, work autonomy, subjective SES, and measures of positive and negative mental well-being. Applying regression analyses, the study unveiled that entrepreneurs manifest elevated levels of positive mental well-being and reduced levels of negative mental well-being vis-à-vis paid employees. Additionally, mediation analyses underscored the noteworthy mediating influence exerted by subjective SES in explicating the relationship between entrepreneurship and mental well-being, eclipsing that of work autonomy.
The outcomes of the study render meaningful contributions to the comprehension of entrepreneurs’ mental well-being, particularly in the realm of emerging economies such as China. By furnishing evidence of the mental well-being advantages of entrepreneurship in China and elucidating the mediating role of subjective SES, the study presents insights of paramount importance informing both research and policy. Notably, a nuanced understanding of the psychological mechanisms underpinning the relationship between entrepreneurship and mental well-being is emphasized, underscoring the practical implications for individuals contemplating entrepreneurship as a career choice and policymakers seeking to bolster entrepreneurial endeavors in burgeoning economies such as China.
In summary, the study has shed light on the mental well-being of entrepreneurs in China, accentuating the affirmative impact of entrepreneurship on mental health. It has accentuated the significance of SES-related psychological functioning as a pivotal conduit to reinforcing the mental well-being of entrepreneurs. Thereby, enriching the compendium of research on occupational health and well-being in emerging economies.
+ There are no comments
Add yours