Toward a coping-dueling-fit theory of the ADHD-entrepreneurship relationship: Treatment's influence on business venturing, performance, and persistence

Abstract

We examine the relationship between Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and entrepreneurship with a specific focus on the influence of treatment. To guide our analysis, we develop the Coping-Dueling-Fit (CDF) theory as an extension to the dueling symptoms and person-environment fit perspectives. The CDF posits that ADHD symptoms' fit with entrepreneurship can act as both an asset and liability, and that coping, which we operationalize as treatment, serves to moderate this relationship to the benefit of the individual. We test our hypotheses by drawing on unique data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and find that treatment moderates the relationships between ADHD and business venturing, performance, and persistence. A post-hoc analysis further explores nuances in the variety of ADHD including the influences of comorbidity with depression, treatment type, push and pull factors in entrepreneurial entry, as well as persistence in the face of negative performance.