Full Citation

Title: The struggle is real: self-employment and short-term psychological distress

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2018

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ISSN:

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbvi.2018.04.002

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Abstract: We test whether self-employed individuals report more short-term psychological distress compared to paid employees. The ability to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams could lead self-employed individuals to experience feelings of positive emotion, autonomy, and confidence that can lower short-term psychological distress. Yet, the significant demands of self-employment undertakings might also induce feelings of negative emotions, helplessness, and lack of control typically associated with increased short-term psychological distress. We investigate the relationship between self-employment and self-reported, short-term psychological distress using a sample of 171,883 respondents from the 1997–2015 cross-sectional surveys of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Results indicate that self-employment has a positive association with psychological distress. Findings are robust to matched-pair sampling and alternate measures of levels of psychological distress.

Url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352673418300180

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Reid, Shane, W; Patel, Pankaj, C; Wolfe, Marcus, T

Periodical (Full): Journal of Venturing Business Insights

Issue:

Volume: 9

Pages: 128-136

Data Collections: IPUMS Health Surveys - NHIS

Topics: Health, Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Population Health and Health Systems

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