Title: Entrepreneurial fear of failure and psychological well-being: a moderation analysis of resilience

Authors: Syed Asif Mehdi; Lata Bajpai Singh

Addresses: Department of Rural Management, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India ' Department of Rural Management, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract: Fear of failure in entrepreneurship research has been considered as the inhibitor of entrepreneurial activity. However, previous studies have primarily focused on non-entrepreneurs. This approach to examining the fear of failure in entrepreneurship does not gauge the actual experience of entrepreneurs while practising entrepreneurship. The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of entrepreneurial fear of failure on the psychological well-being (PWB) of entrepreneurs and the moderating effect of resilience in the relationship. Data is collected from 129 practising entrepreneurs. For data analysis purposes, regression and moderation analyses have been executed. Results suggested that entrepreneurial fear of failure is inversely associated with PWB of entrepreneurs. In addition, a high level of resilience neutralises the negative effect of entrepreneurial fear of failure on PWB.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial fear of failure; resilience; psychological wellbeing; entrepreneurs; moderation analysis; stress and coping theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2023.129282

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2023 Vol.15 No.1, pp.1 - 18

Received: 13 Jun 2021
Accepted: 05 May 2022
Published online: 02 Mar 2023 *