Open Access

ARTICLE

Enhancing Well-Being through Psychological Resilience and Social Capital: An Empirical Study of Female Entrepreneurs in the Long-Term Care Industry

Chia-Hui Hou^*

Department of Gerontology and Health Care Management, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, 33303, Taiwan

* Corresponding Author: Chia-Hui Hou. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Social and Behavioral Determinants of Mental Health: From Theory to Practice)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(12), 2007-2022. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.073748

Received 24 September 2025; Accepted 31 October 2025; Issue published 31 December 2025

Abstract

Objectives: With the rapid aging of populations worldwide, the long-term care (LTC) industry has become a critical arena for both social welfare and entrepreneurial development, particularly among women who play a leading role in caregiving enterprises. However, female LTC entrepreneurs often face emotional strain and limited social resources that affect their professional well-being. This study investigates the effects of psychological resilience and social capital on the well-being of female entrepreneurs in the long-term care (LTC) industry and examines the mediating role of entrepreneurial competence. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 73 female LTC entrepreneurs in Taiwan through structured questionnaires, and correlation, regression, and mediation analyses were conducted. Complementary qualitative interviews with eight entrepreneurs provided deeper insights into how resilience and social resources are mobilized in entrepreneurial practice. Results: Psychological resilience and social capital were positively associated with well-being (β = 0.41, p < 0.001; β = 0.36, p = 0.002), jointly explaining 47% of its variance. Entrepreneurial competence partially mediated the resilience–well-being relationship (indirect effect = 0.18, 95% CI [0.07, 0.32]). These effects were statistically and practically meaningful. Conclusion: Psychological resilience and social capital jointly enhance the well-being of female LTC entrepreneurs, with entrepreneurial competence serving as a partial mediator. The results suggest that fostering both inner strength and social connectedness can promote sustainable well-being and professional growth in the long-term care sector.

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Keywords

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