THE PAIN OF AN ENTREPRENEUR? RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONALITY, LIFE SATISFACTION, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUFFERING OF BRAZILIAN ENTREPRENEURS DURING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Objective of the study: the main objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between personality traits, life satisfaction, the perceived impact of the pandemic and the psychological suffering of Brazilian entrepreneurs. Methodology: 631 respondents (51% female) with a mean age of 39.34 years (SD = 10.75), from different Brazilian states. Entrepreneurs answered an online collection form that assessed their personality, psychological distress, life satisfaction, and questions about the perception of the pandemic. Originality/relevance: studies on the mental health of entrepreneurs are scarce, even in crisis situations, such as the covid-19 pandemic. This study sought to fill part of this gap. Main results: Structural equation modeling shows that personality traits and life satisfaction are directly associated with the psychological distress of entrepreneurs. The relationship between neuroticism, extraversion and conscientiousness and psychological distress was partially mediated by life satisfaction. Theoretical/methodological contributions: this study contributes to the identification of individual and social variables and the way they are associated in the prediction of psychological suffering, in major health crises, such as covid-19. Social/management contributions: the results of this study can be used by managers, entities, and support services for entrepreneurs in order to build policies and actions aimed at coping with medium and long-term emotional consequences, uncertainties and setbacks resulting from the pandemic. of covid-19 for the entrepreneur and his business.