When Family Meets Crisis: How Parenthood and Gender Shape Entrepreneurs’ Well-Being

What is it about?

This study explores how being a parent, gender, and cultural context influence entrepreneurs’ experiences of work–family conflict and well-being during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows that when professional and personal demands collide, the strain is not shared equally. Entrepreneurs with children, particularly women, face greater difficulty balancing these roles, though cultural contexts emphasizing close family networks can help lessen these challenges. Analyzing data from over 6,500 entrepreneurs across 24 European countries, the study finds that those with children experience stronger work–family conflict and lower psychological well-being than those without. Female entrepreneurs are especially affected by the pressure of competing roles. However, in societies marked by high cultural embeddedness—where family bonds and community ties are strong—these differences are reduced, as such settings provide greater emotional and practical support. The findings indicate that efforts to support entrepreneurs should consider both family circumstances and the broader cultural environment. Enabling parents to better balance work and home responsibilities can protect their well-being during crises. Societies that nurture strong family ties and mutual assistance appear better equipped to cushion the effects of conflict between work and family, helping entrepreneurs maintain stability when external pressures rise.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research is unique in combining boundary theory with the concept of embeddedness to explain how personal and cultural factors together shape entrepreneurs’ well-being. By examining both family status and gender within broader social contexts, it reveals how these dimensions jointly influence resilience. The study contributes to understanding how entrepreneurs manage the strains of work and family life in times of crisis. The study is timely as entrepreneurs worldwide continue to face overlapping work and family demands during periods of uncertainty such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscores that well-being is shaped not only by individual effort but also by family responsibilities, gender roles, and cultural support systems. These insights offer direction for future policies and community initiatives that help entrepreneurs remain resilient in the face of crisis.