The Impact of Psychological Vulnerabilities, Gender and Venturing Stage on Entrepreneurial Wellbeing

Abstract

This study examines the effect of ADHD symptoms on entrepreneurial well-being and how gender and venturing stage moderate this relationship. Surveying 2,000 entrepreneurs in the U.S, Australia and Spain, we hypothesize and find negative associations between ADHD symptoms and well-being. Gender moderates this relationship. The negative effect of ADHD symptoms on well-being is aggravated for women entrepreneurs. We theorize that this is because both ADHD and entrepreneurship are male gendered – women entrepreneurs with ADHD simultaneously challenge two behavioral stereotypes. And the challenging of stereotypes takes a toll in terms of well-being. Our research highlights the importance of examining gender differences in ADHD research, and examining outcomes other than performance in research on gender and entrepreneurship.