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Psychological Factors that Lessen the Impact of COVID-19 on the Self-Employment Intention of Business Administration and Economics’ Students from Latin America

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  • Brizeida Raquel Hernández-Sánchez

    (Department of Social Psychology and Anthropology, University of Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Giuseppina Maria Cardella

    (Department of Social Psychology and Anthropology, University of Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Spain)

  • José Carlos Sánchez-García

    (Department of Social Psychology and Anthropology, University of Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Spain)

Abstract

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease epidemic (Covid-19) is a public health emergency of international concern and poses a challenge to the labor market. The pandemic has a devastating and disproportionate effect on young workers, their interest in entrepreneurship, and their mental health. Research is needed to develop evidence-based strategies to improve coping and reduce adverse psychological problems. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact that Covid-19 pandemic perception and psychological need satisfaction have on university students and their self-employment intention. In addition, we also analyzed the role of moderation played by psychological aspects. These psychological factors (i.e., Optimism and Proactiveness) can also improve young people’s mental health and well-being. Methods: An explorative study (online survey) was conducted in March 2020 934 university students from Latin America. Regression analysis models were built to examine the relationships between Covid-19 pandemic perception, personality variables, and entrepreneurial intention. Mediation models, through the bootstrapping method, were performed to analyze the mediating role of proactiveness and optimism. Results: Results indicate that students’ perception of Covid-19 and psychological need satisfaction are associated with entrepreneurial intention. Additionally, the present study argues that proactiveness and optimism mediate these relationships. Conclusions: This study identifies psychological factors associated with a lower level of Covid-19 impact and that can be used for psychological interventions that result in an improvement in the mental health of these vulnerable groups during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Brizeida Raquel Hernández-Sánchez & Giuseppina Maria Cardella & José Carlos Sánchez-García, 2020. "Psychological Factors that Lessen the Impact of COVID-19 on the Self-Employment Intention of Business Administration and Economics’ Students from Latin America," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5293-:d:388259
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    4. Manish Bansal, 2023. "Multidimensional Impact of COVID-19 on the Indian Education Sector," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 48(2), pages 214-223, May.
    5. Evila Piva & Massimiliano Guerini, 2023. "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic-related policies on new firm creation: an analysis of the Italian case," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(3), pages 1009-1031, March.

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