On Their Own: Business Profitability and Job Satisfaction Among Self-Employed With Chronic Health Conditions

Objectives: This study examined (a) characteristics of maintenance of business activity among self-employed individuals with chronic health conditions (CHCs) and (b) the relationships of coping strategies with maintenance of business activity. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 294 self-employed participants aged 26-77 who were at most 2 years since their diagnosis and had one of the following CHCs: cancer (23.4%), cardiac disease (21.7%), respiratory disease (36.2%), or inflammatory bowel disease (18.6%). Participants answered questionnaires on workability limitations, business maintenance, sense of mastery, and coping strategies. Results: Participants reported a substantial decrease in business profitability since their CHC diagnosis but high job satisfaction. The structural equation model had good fit indicators and revealed that the association between workability limitations and lower maintenance of business profitability was partially mediated by lower use of disengaged coping strategies. The association between sense of mastery and job satisfaction was partially mediated by engaged and disengaged coping strategies. Conclusions: Self-employed individuals with CHCs are at risk of declining of business profitability; however, degree of workability limitations alone did not explain business profitability maintenance or job satisfaction, but it was related to coping resources and strategies. Interventions that strengthen personal resources and promote engaged coping strategies should be provided with direct support to business maintenance.