PurposeTo develop and validate the Entrepreneur Well-being Check (EWC), a screening tool to assess mental health, well-being and occupational functioning among entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach Literature review identified core emotional, well-being and occupational concerns among entrepreneurs. Items for each dimension were drafted, tested for content validity and refined. 314 entrepreneurs completed these items and other instruments to test the EWC scale structure, internal consistency, criterion and construct validity. They retook measures at six months to assess test-retest reliability. FindingsSeven items loaded onto one factor. The EWC exhibited good internal consistency, content validity, criterion validity, construct validity and fair test-retest reliability. The EWC score correlated with measures of well-being, occupational functioning and multiple mental health conditions. Research limitations/implications Findings are based on self-report measures in a self-selected sample. The EWC shows validity as a measure of mental health and well-being, but findings await replication. Practical implicationsThe EWC could inform research on the mental health and well-being needs of entrepreneurs and related interventions. EWC-identified distressed entrepreneurs could be offered referrals to care and may benefit from policy or programmatic support. Social implicationsThe EWC is a free, publicly available, evidence-informed screening tool that can identify at-risk entrepreneurs. The EWC could help educators, mentors, coaches and clinicians support entrepreneur well-being. Originality/valueThe EWC is the first screener of broad mental health, well-being and occupational concerns among entrepreneurs.

Research conducted over the last three decades confirms that dopaminergic personality traits (Openness, Extraversion and the Industriousness aspect of Conscientiousness) are prominent among entrepreneurs. We highlight the continuum between dopaminergic traits, dimensions, temperaments, symptoms and psychiatric conditions (bipolar spectrum conditions, ADHD, substance and behavioral addictions, and OCPD) among entrepreneurs, and how behavioral manifestations of this continuum affect entrepreneurial action. Despite the pathological potential, the connection with some favorable outcomes of dopaminergic traits and psychiatric conditions suggests that atypical dopamine physiology may be one biomarker of the neurodiversity that distinguishes, empowers and endangers entrepreneurs. By showing the dopaminergic underpinnings of traits, dimensions, symptoms and conditions among entrepreneurs, we offer a unifying framework that contextualizes findings within the construct of dopaminergic differences – a framework that integrates otherwise isolated findings about the personality traits and psychiatric conditions of entrepreneurs. In other words, the neurodiversity biomarkers and bio-psycho-social characteristics found among entrepreneurs often reflect a polygenic endophenotype that features atypical dopamine physiology.

Entrepreneurship scholarship finds itself in something of a quandary concerning rationality. While an increasingly large body of empirical work has found evidence of less-deliberative and even impulsive drivers of business venturing, the dominant theories of entrepreneurial action remain anchored to the assumption that intended rationality is a defining attribute of entrepreneurship. The growing schism between entrepreneurial action theory (EAT) on the one hand, and empirics and practice on the other hand, represents a consequential and exciting opportunity for the field to revisit its core assumptions regarding rationality, particularly the presence, role, and function of rational intentionality. In this study, we undertake a review and exploratory investigation of the assertion that without reasoned intentionality there is no entrepreneurship. Our work generates three important insights that contribute to rethinking key facets of the most prominent and influential EATs: alternative, non-rational pathways to business venturing exist with a non-ignorable prevalence; a proclivity towards reasoned intentionality is not invariably prescriptive; and, less-reasoned, less-deliberative tendencies do not constitute an entrepreneurial death sentence. Rather, entrepreneurs (including highly successful ones) embody a shifting blend of rational and non-rational proclivities, motivations, decisions, and actions.

Brains are indispensable drivers of human progress. Why not invest more heavily in them? We seek to place Brain Capital at the center of a new narrative to fuel economic and societal recovery and resilience.

Psychiatric conditions and sub-threshold psychiatric temperaments may influence entrepreneurs’ affect, cognition, energy, motivation, circadian rhythms, activity levels, self-concept, creativity, and interpersonal behaviors in ways that influence business outcomes. We used a self-report survey to examine the prevalence and co-occurrence of five psychiatric conditions among 242 entrepreneurs and 93 comparison participants. Mental health differences directly or indirectly affected 72% of the entrepreneurs in this sample, including those with a personal mental health history (49%) and family mental health history among the asymptomatic entrepreneurs (23%). Entrepreneurs reported experiencing more depression (30%), ADHD (29%), substance use (12%), and bipolar disorder (11%) than comparison participants. Furthermore, 32% of the entrepreneurs reported having two or more mental health conditions, while 18% reported having three or more mental health conditions. Asymptomatic entrepreneurs (having no mental health issues) with asymptomatic families constituted only 24% of the entrepreneur participants. Entrepreneurs’ psychiatric issues can affect their functioning and that of their ventures. Therefore, integrating knowledge about psychiatric conditions with research on personality traits can broaden the understanding of how mental health-related traits, states, and family history can influence entrepreneurial outcomes. We discuss methodological limitations as well as implications of our findings for entrepreneurship research and practice.

Purpose We examine gender differences in personality traits of people with and without entrepreneurial intent to assess whether women who intend to become entrepreneurs exhibit particular tendencies that can be fostered. Design/Methodology/Approach Participants completed an online battery of well-established questionnaires to cover a range of personality traits relevant to entrepreneurship and gender. Participants also answered items concerning intent to become an entrepreneur. A factor analysis of personality traits produced four factors (Esteem and Power, Ambition, Risk Propensity, and Communal Tendency, the latter reflecting Openness and Cooperation, without Hubris). We constructed four parallel regression models to examine how gender, entrepreneurial intent, and the interaction of gender with intent related to these four personality factor scores. Findings Participants who endorsed a desire to become an entrepreneur reported higher Ambition. Women with entrepreneurial intentions endorsed higher levels of Communal Tendency than men with entrepreneurial intent. Those without entrepreneurial intent did not show gender differences in Communal Tendency. Implications Current findings suggest that men and women who intend to become entrepreneurs share many traits, but women with entrepreneurial intent show unique elevations in communal tendencies. Thus, a worthwhile locus for intervention into the gender disparity in self-employment may be providing space for and acknowledgement of prosocial motivation and goals as one successful route to entrepreneurship. Originality/value Given the underutilized economic potential of women entrepreneurs, there is a fundamental need for a rich array of research on factors that limit and promote women's entry into entrepreneurship. Current findings indicate that personality may be one piece of this puzzle.

Perseverance toward long-term goals has been tied to diminished depression. Few studies have considered mechanisms that might underlie the effects of perseverance. We tested the hypothesis that perseverance promotes greater resilience to depressive symptoms by enhancing positive self-conscious emotions (e.g., authentic pride) and positive self-valuation (e.g., sense of power). Participants (N = 420) completed self-report measures of perseverance, authentic pride, perceived power, and current depressive symptoms. Perseverance of effort was significantly related to lower depressive symptoms. Authentic pride and sense of power were both significant statistical mediators of the relationship between perseverance and depressive symptoms. Implications for future clinical research are discussed.

The goal of this paper is to briefly review extant findings on bipolar disorder and entrepreneurship, and then to develop a model of personality traits that might link mania risk with entrepreneurial intent and entry. Findings from a large set of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies indicate that people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, as well as those with subsyndromal forms, show personality traits such as high ambition, confidence, and positive affectivity, even during well periods. Intriguingly, a parallel, distinct literature documents that these same personality traits are related to greater likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur and of succeeding as an entrepreneur. We will describe research on whether mania risk is linked to entrepreneurial intent, entry, and income, drawing on findings from two small surveys and one epidemiological study. As those findings regarding the link between mania risk and entrepreneurship are mixed, we present a model in which some specific personality traits tied to mania risk might also be related to entrepreneurial intent and entry. In a small study, we find support for key personality traits that overlap. We discuss implications of these findings and some key issues not considered in this study, and suggest directions for future research.

American military veterans are nearly twice as likely to be self-employed compared with nonveterans and are majority owners in 9% of all businesses nationwide. Despite their contribution to the broader economy and the potential for training programs to cultivate and foster successful self-employment and veteran-lead entrepreneurial ventures, research on veteran entrepreneurs remains limited. To gain a better understanding of the potential strengths and vulnerabilities of veteran entrepreneurs, the current study utilized data from a large, nationally representative sample to profile self-employed veterans (n = 230) and compare them with veterans who work as employees (n = 1,055) with respect to demographic, military service history, and psychosocial characteristics. Results indicated that self-employed veterans were older and more educated and more likely to utilize U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) health care. Self-employed veterans were more likely to serve in Vietnam and to serve in the military for fewer years. No differences were noted in perceived military experience, level of combat exposure, or military branch served as a function of self-employment. Although reporting more lifetime traumas, self-employed veterans did not experience higher rates of current or lifetime psychopathology or lower perceived quality of life. Potential protective resilience-promoting factors may be associated with the higher levels of openness, extraversion, optimism, achievement-orientation (purpose in life), and greater need for autonomy and professional development observed among self-employed veterans. Moreover, self-employed veterans demonstrated higher levels of gratitude, community integration, and altruistic service to others. Findings have potential to inform human resources management strategies and vocational training and reintegration initiatives for veterans.

Objective: Beyond evidence for an association, little is known about the mechanism linking creativity bipolar spectrum conditions. Theory suggests that ambition, which is heightened in bipolar disorder (BD) and associated with creativity in the general population, might be an important variable. The overarching aim of this project was to evaluate whether ambition is related to creativity among those with bipolar spectrum conditions.Method: Across two studies, we examined correlations between a validated self-report measure of ambition, the WASSUP, and creativity. In Study One, 22 individuals diagnosed with BD who self-identified as highly creative completed the WASSUP and a measure of lifetime creative accomplishment. In Study Two, 221 undergraduates completed the WASSUP, a measure of mania risk (the Hypomanic Personality Scale, HPS) and a measure designed to assess creativity in business projects and tasks.Results: In Study One, WASSUP scores were significantly elevated compared to normative levels in BD, and WASSUP scores were correlated with lifetime creative accomplishment within the artistic sample. In Study Two, mania risk was related to greater ambition and creativity, and ambition was also directly related to greater creativity.Limitations: Both studies were limited by the reliance on self-reported ambition.Conclusion: Ambition could be one important component of creative success across the bipolar spectrum. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Previous research has documented heightened confidence and ambition among persons who are prone to mania. The current study was designed to extend this work by using a more specific measure of overconfidence than has been used in prior research, and to evaluate the degree of correlation of overconfidence with ambition. University students (N = 224) completed measures of mania risk (the Hypomanic Personality Scale), overconfidence (Overclaiming Scale), ambition (The Willingly Approached Set of Statistically Unlikely Pursuits), and affective state. Ambition was relatively independent of confidence. Findings support a model of ambition as a stable correlate of mania risk, whereas confidence may increase with happiness. Potential implications for functioning, treatment, and prevention are considered.

Background: Popular literature suggests a relationship between entrepreneurship and manic tendencies, yet little scientific research has evaluated whether manic tendencies foster entrance into entrepreneurial roles, intent to become an entrepreneur, or success as an entrepreneur.Methods: In study 1, 225 undergraduates and business school students/affiliates took an online survey to assess engagement and intent as entrepreneurs, as well as manic tendencies, including family diagnoses as reported on the Family Index of Risk for Mania, subsyndromal manic tendencies as assessed with the Hypomanic Personality Scale, and self-reported diagnoses. In study 2, the sample of entrepreneurs identified in study 1 was enriched by recanting a larger group of established entrepreneurs from the community. Entrepreneurs (n=210) completed items concerning their success in entrepreneurship, and we examined whether the three measures of manic tendencies were related to success.Results: There was no evidence that those vulnerable to mania, regardless of definition, were more likely to be entrepreneurs, to intend to become entrepreneurs, or to succeed as entrepreneurs. Limitations: The studies were limited by self-report measures and relatively small samples.Conclusions: More nuanced models may explain the frequent clinical observations of manic traits among entrepreneurs. (C)2014 Elsevier By. All rights reserved

Theoretical and research advances of the past decade have contributed to a general theory of the technique of brief dynamic psychotherapy. Future advances depend in part on the specific modification of technique to address individuals with specific personality difficulties in specific life contexts. The purpose of the present paper is to delineate the modifications of brief dynamic therapy for persons with transient narcissistic regression following traumatic life experiences. The approach stresses initial supportive work to be followed by exploration of warded-off conflicts involving greater self-critical awareness on the part of the patient. The implications of this sequential strategy for the formation of the therapeutic alliance, the choice and working through of a problem focus, and the handling of termination, are spelled out with reference to a detailed single case example.