Self-employed and stressed out? The impact of stress and stress management on entrepreneurs' mental health and performance

Introduction: Entrepreneurs play a central role in economic and social stability, yet the start-up rate in Germany has declined in recent years, possibly due to stress associated with entrepreneurial activities. Stressors such as financial uncertainty and time pressure are prevalent among entrepreneurs and negatively affect psychological well-being. Research on stress management strategies among self-employed individuals remains limited. Methods: This pilot study conducted a quantitative analysis with 117 self-employed participants in Germany, focusing on typical entrepreneurial work demands and selected stress coping mechanisms. Results: Significant correlations were observed between quantitative demands and mental exhaustion. A high positive correlation between presenteeism and workload suggests that presenteeism may partially explain the variance in workload. These findings underscore how high job demands can lead to self-endangering behaviors detrimental to mental health. Discussion: No significant moderating effect of proactive coping on the relationship between job demands and mental exhaustion was observed. However, significant negative correlations between proactive coping and both job demands and mental exhaustion suggest a potential protective role of proactive coping against work-related stress. The study highlights the importance of understanding stress coping strategies among self-employed individuals and their impact on entrepreneurial success and mental well-being, and calls for further research to develop effective interventions.

Sophia Kiefl, Sophie Fischer, Jan Schmitt