How can entrepreneurs be encouraged to take care of their health and well-being without these initiatives becoming an additional burden or yet another performance expectation?
A literature review identified four levels of variables influencing entrepreneurs’ health and well-being: (1) their representations of health, (2) their daily concerns, (3) the stressors they face, and (4) the strategies, psychological processes, and resources they mobilize to support their well-being. These variables can act as antecedents, consequences, mediators, or moderators within an explanatory model of health and well-being. Our research will aim to clarify the role of these variables in different contexts and to identify optimal conditions for preserving or restoring entrepreneurs’ health and well-being. The methodology will be mixed: qualitative interviews, group experiments, and quantitative questionnaires to ensure representativeness of French-speaking Belgian entrepreneurs.
Context
The law of August 4, 1996, concerning worker well-being applies to employees, not self-employed individuals. However, studies show that the latter face high pressure and heavy workloads, with few readily available supports, pushing them to prioritize their business over their personal health. This situation threatens not only their individual health but also the health of their business.
Needs addressed
The initial observation is that entrepreneurs have fewer opportunities and resources to take care of their health compared to employees, even though their health is closely intertwined with the health of their business, with both influencing each other. It therefore appears crucial to better understand how to support entrepreneurs in maintaining their health and well-being.
Expected results
The ultimate goal of this research is to produce a guide for entrepreneurs, aimed at fostering understanding, awareness, and action regarding their health and well-being. This guide will provide concrete, accessible, and low-cost strategies, adapted to the high workload inherent to entrepreneurship. Recommendations will follow an effort-optimization logic, inspired by the Pareto principle, focusing on high-impact actions. The expected benefits will extend beyond the individual sphere to improve the overall functioning and performance of the business. Based on robust empirical findings, these proposals will address both the personal and professional challenges of entrepreneurs.
Financing
Wallonia–Brussels Federation
