The Effect of Work-Family Conflict and Entrepreneurial Regret on the Subjective Well-Being of Rural Small Business Owners in Nahavand County

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

2 Education and Learning Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the role of work-family conflict and entrepreneurial regret in explaining the subjective well-being of rural small business owners. Given the growing challenges faced by entrepreneurs and business owners in rural areas—such as extensive family responsibilities, ongoing economic pressures, and environmental uncertainties—it is essential to explore the psychological factors that influence their well-being. Understanding these factors can inform the development of supportive interventions and targeted policies aimed at enhancing resilience and ensuring the sustainability of rural businesses. Adopting a quantitative and cross-sectional approach, the study surveyed 100 owners of micro rural businesses in Nahavand County. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS version 4.0. The findings revealed that work-family conflict had a significant positive effect on entrepreneurial regret and a significant negative effect on subjective well-being. Furthermore, entrepreneurial regret was negatively associated with subjective well-being. Mediation analysis showed that entrepreneurial regret partially mediated the relationship between work-family conflict and subjective well-being. These results highlight the importance of psychological support, resilience training, and efforts to help entrepreneurs balance family and work responsibilities. By providing new insights into the psychological dynamics of rural entrepreneurship, this research offers practical implications for policymakers and rural development organizations aiming to improve the quality of life for rural entrepreneurs.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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  • Receive Date: 10 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 06 September 2025

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