Although entrepreneurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are overrepresented in entrepreneurial careers, the link between ADHD and entrepreneurial success (ES) remains contested. Drawing on person–environment (PE) fit theory, we disentangle the effects of ADHD’s two core symptom dimensions, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, on ES, integrating entrepreneurial resilience as a mediator and social support as a moderator. Using survey data from entrepreneurs in the United States and the United Kingdom, we find that inattention negatively predicts both resilience and ES, with resilience partially mediating this relationship. By contrast, hyperactivity/impulsivity positively predicts resilience but has no significant direct effect on ES; its indirect effect through resilience is positive and important. Social support attenuates the negative influence of inattention on ES and dampens the positive indirect effect of hyperactivity/impulsivity via resilience. These findings reconcile contradictory results in prior ADHD–entrepreneurship research by demonstrating that ADHD is not a uniform predictor of performance; its impact depends on which symptom dimension dominates and how personal tendencies interact with environmental resources. The study advances theoretical understanding of cognitive diversity in entrepreneurship and offers practical guidance on tailoring support mechanisms to enhance the performance and sustainability of entrepreneurs with distinct ADHD profiles.
AntshelK. M. (2018). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and entrepreneurship. Academy of Management Perspectives, 32(2), 243–265.
2.
AyalaJ. C., & ManzanoG. (2014). The resilience of the entrepreneur: Influence on the success of the business. A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Economic Psychology, 42, 126–135.
3.
BarkleyR. A. (1997). Behavioral inhibition, sustained attention, and executive functions: Constructing a unifying theory of ADHD. Psychological Bulletin, 121(1), 65–94.
4.
BradleyD. E., & RobertsJ. A. (2004). Self‐employment and job satisfaction: Investigating the role of self‐efficacy, depression, and seniority. Journal of Small Business Management, 42(1), 37–58.
5.
BrighamK. H., De CastroJ. O., & ShepherdD. A. (2007). A person–organization fit model of owner–managers’ cognitive style and organizational demands. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 31(1), 29–51.
6.
BulloughA., & RenkoM. (2013). Entrepreneurial resilience during challenging times. Business Horizons, 56(3), 343–350.
7.
BulloughA., RenkoM., & MyattT. (2014). Danger zone entrepreneurs: The importance of resilience and self–efficacy for entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 38(3), 473–499.
8.
CableD. M., & DeRueD. S. (2002). The convergent and discriminant validity of subjective fit perceptions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(5), 875–884.
9.
CableD. M., & JudgeT. A. (1996). Person–organization fit, job choice decisions, and organizational entry. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 67(3), 294–311.
10.
CanitsI., BernosterI., MukerjeeJ., BonnetJ., RizzoU., & Rosique-BlascoM. (2019). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and academic entrepreneurial preference: Is there an association?Small Business Economics, 53(2), 369–380.
11.
ClarkL., BlackwellA. D., AronA. R., TurnerD. C., DowsonJ., RobbinsT. W., & SahakianB. J. (2007). Association between response inhibition and working memory in adult ADHD: A link to right frontal cortex pathology?Biological Psychiatry, 61(12), 1395–1401.
12.
CohenS., & WillsT. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310–357.
13.
CornerP. D., SinghS., & PavlovichK. (2017). Entrepreneurial resilience and venture failure. International Small Business Journal, 35(6), 687–708.
14.
CullenP. (2025, February27). How ADHD shaped Alex Partridge’s entrepreneurial journey. Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-gb/entrepreneurs/how-adhd-shaped-alex-partridges-entrepreneurial-journey/487634
15.
DejD. (2010). Defining and measuring entrepreneurial success. In LukesM. & LagunaM. (Eds), Entrepreneurship: A psychological approach (pp. 89–102). Oeconomica.
16.
DimicN., & OrlovV. (2014). Entrepreneurial tendencies among people with ADHD. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 13(3), 187–204.
17.
EdwardsB. D., DayE. A., Arthur JrW., & BellS. T. (2006). Relationships among team ability composition, team mental models, and team performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(3), 727–736.
18.
FisherR., MaritzA., & LoboA. (2014). Evaluating entrepreneurs’ perception of success: Development of a measurement scale. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 20(5), 478–492.
19.
FolkmanS., & MoskowitzJ. T. (2000). Positive affect and the other side of coping. American Psychologist, 55(6), 647–654.
20.
FornellC., & LarckerD. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50.
21.
FrankeG., & SarstedtM. (2019). Heuristics versus statistics in discriminant validity testing: A comparison of four procedures. Internet Research, 29(3), 430–447.
22.
FredricksonB. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.
23.
HairJ. F., HultG. T. M., RingleC. M., SarstedtM., DanksN. P., & RayS. (2021). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using R: A workbook. Springer Nature.
24.
HairJ. F., RingleC. M., & SarstedtM. (2013). Partial least squares structural equation modeling: Rigorous applications, better results and higher acceptance. Long Range Planning, 46(1–2), 1–12.
25.
HairJ. F., SarstedtM., PieperT. M., & RingleC. M. (2012). The use of partial least squares structural equation modeling in strategic management research: A review of past practices and recommendations for future applications. Long Range Planning, 45(5–6), 320–340.
26.
HatakI., ChangM., HarmsR., & WiklundJ. (2021). ADHD symptoms, entrepreneurial passion, and entrepreneurial performance. Small Business Economics, 57(4), 1693–1713.
27.
HenselerJ., RingleC. M., & SarstedtM. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115–135.
28.
HmieleskiK. M., CarrJ. C., & BaronR. A. (2020). Integrating personality and entrepreneurship research: A new call for nuanced examinations of individual differences. Journal of Business Venturing, 35(4), 105937.
29.
HobfollS. E. (2001). The influence of culture, community, and the nested‐self in the stress process: Advancing conservation of resources theory. Applied Psychology, 50(3), 337–421.
30.
HofstedeG. (2001). Culture’s recent consequences: Using dimension scores in theory and research. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 1(1), 11–17.
31.
HollandJ. L. (1997). Making vocational choices: A theory of vocational personalities and work environments. Psychological Assessment Resources.
32.
HouseJ. S. (1983). Work stress and social support. Addison-Wesley.
33.
JenkinsL. N., FredrickS. S., & WengerJ. (2018). Peer victimization and social-emotional outcomes: The role of teacher and peer support. Aggressive Behavior, 44(2), 176–184.
34.
KellyK., & RamundoP. (2006). You mean I’m not lazy, stupid or crazy?!: The classic self-help book for adults with attention deficit disorder. Simon and Schuster.
35.
KesslerR. C., AdlerL., AmesM., DemlerO., FaraoneS., HiripiE., HowesM. J., JinR., SecnikK., SpencerT., UstunT. B., & WaltersE. E. (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): A short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245–256.
36.
KesslerR. C., AdlerL. A., GruberM. J., SarawateC. A., SpencerT., & Van BruntD. L. (2007). Validity of the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self‐Report Scale (ASRS) Screener in a representative sample of health plan members. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 16(2), 52–65.
37.
KindermannB., SchmidtC. V. H., PulmJ., & StreseS. (2023). The double-edged sword of entrepreneurial orientation: A configurational perspective on failure in newly public firms. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 47(5), 1816–1842.
38.
KockN. (2015). Common method bias in PLS-SEM: A full collinearity assessment approach. International Journal of e-Collaboration, 11(4), 1–10.
39.
KorberS., & McNaughtonR. B. (2018). Resilience and entrepreneurship: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 24(7), 1129–1154.
40.
KreinerG. E. (2006). Consequences of work–home segmentation or integration: A person‐environment fit perspective. Journal of Organizational Behavior: The International Journal of Industrial, Occupational and Organizational Psychology and Behavior, 27(4), 485–507.
41.
Kristof-BrownA. L., ZimmermanR. D., & JohnsonE. C. (2005). Consequences of individuals’ fit at work: A meta-analysis of person–job, person–organization, person–group, and person–supervisor fit. Personnel Psychology, 58(2), 281–342.
42.
LernerD. A., & VerheulI. (2016). Entrepreneurial intentions, behavior, ADHD, and flow. Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research, 36.
43.
LernerD. A., VerheulI., & ThurikR. (2019). Entrepreneurship and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A large-scale study involving the clinical condition of ADHD. Small Business Economics, 53(2), 381–392.
44.
LeungY. K., FrankenI. H. A., & ThurikA. R. (2020). Psychiatric symptoms and entrepreneurial intention: The role of the behavioral activation system. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 13, e00153.
45.
Manzano-GarcíaG., & Ayala-CalvoJ. C. (2013). New perspectives: Towards an integration of the concept ‘burnout’ and its explanatory models. Anales de psicología, 29(3), 800–809.
46.
MarkmanG. D., & BaronR. A. (2003). Person–entrepreneurship fit: Why some people are more successful as entrepreneurs than others. Human Resource Management Review, 13(2), 281–301.
47.
MerrellC., SayalK., TymmsP., & KasimA. (2017). A longitudinal study of the association between inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity and children’s academic attainment at age 11. Learning and Individual Differences, 53, 156–161.
48.
MolinoM., DolceV., CorteseC. G., & GhislieriC. (2018). Personality and social support as determinants of entrepreneurial intention: Gender differences in Italy. PLOS ONE, 13(6), e0199924.
49.
MurphyG. B., TrailerJ. W., & HillR. C. (1996). Measuring performance in entrepreneurship research. Journal of Business Research, 36(1), 15–23.
50.
NguyenA. T., DoT. H. H., VuT. B. T., DangK. A., & NguyenH. L. (2019). Factors affecting entrepreneurial intentions among youths in Vietnam. Children and Youth Services Review, 99, 186–193.
51.
NunnallyJ. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
52.
PatelP. C., RietveldC. A., & VerheulI. (2021). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and earnings in later-life self-employment. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(1), 43–63.
53.
PodsakoffP. M., MacKenzieS. B., LeeJ. Y., & PodsakoffN. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879.
54.
PowellE. E., & BakerT. (2011). Beyond making do: Toward a theory of entrepreneurial resourcefulness. Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research, 31(12), 2.
55.
PowellG. N., & EddlestonK. A. (2013). Linking family-to-business enrichment and support to entrepreneurial success: Do female and male entrepreneurs experience different outcomes?Journal of Business Venturing, 28(2), 261–280.
56.
RajahR., BamiatziV., & WilliamsN. (2021). Inattention, hyperactivity–impulsivity and entrepreneurial success: Longitudinal evidence from a British cohort study. Journal of Business Venturing, 92(1), 82–104.
57.
RauchA., & RijsdijkS. A. (2013). The effects of general and specific human capital on long-term growth and failure of newly founded businesses. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 37(4), 923–941.
58.
SarstedtM., HairJ. F., PickM., LiengaardB. D., RadomirL., & RingleC. M. (2022). Progress in partial least squares structural equation modeling use in marketing research in the last decade. Psychology & Marketing, 39(5), 1035–1064.
59.
SarstedtM., RingleC. M., & HairJ. F. (2021). Partial least squares structural equation modeling. In HomburgC., KlarmannM., & VombergA. (Eds), Handbook of market research (pp. 587–632). Springer International Publishing.
60.
SchneiderB. (1987). The people make the place. Personnel Psychology, 40(3), 437–453.
61.
ShepherdD. A., SaadeF. P., & WincentJ. (2020). How to circumvent adversity? Refugee entrepreneurs’ resilience in the face of substantial and persistent adversity. Journal of Business Venturing, 35(4), 105940.
62.
ShepherdD. A., & WilliamsT. (2020). Entrepreneurship responding to adversity: Equilibrating adverse events and disequilibrating persistent adversity. Organization Theory, 1(4), 2631787720967678.
63.
SinclairV. G., & WallstonK. A. (2004). The development and psychometric evaluation of the brief resilient coping scale. Assessment, 11(1), 94–101.
64.
StappersJ., & AndriesP. (2022). The role of distinct ADHD symptoms for pre-entry entrepreneurial behavior: When intentions do not translate into action. Small Business Economics, 58(3), 1441–1457.
65.
StephanU., UhlanerL. M., & StrideC. (2015). Institutions and social entrepreneurship: The role of institutional voids, institutional support, and institutional configurations. Journal of International Business Studies, 46(3), 308–331.
66.
TedeschiR. G., & CalhounL. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18.
67.
TeeceD. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations, of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319–1350.
68.
ThurikR., KhedhaouriaA., TorrèsO., & VerheulI. (2016). ADHD symptoms and entrepreneurial orientation of small firm owners. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 65(3), 568–586.
69.
UyM. A., FooM. D., & SongZ. (2013). Joint effects of prior start-up experience and coping strategies on entrepreneurs’ psychological well-being. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(5), 583–597.
70.
VerheulI., BlockJ., Burmeister-LampK., ThurikR., TiemeierH., & TurtureaR. (2015). ADHD-like behavior and entrepreneurial intentions. Small Business Economics, 45(1), 85–101.
71.
VörösM., & LukovszkiL. (2021). The dark side of ADHD and entrepreneurship: The role of entrepreneurial risk-taking. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 31(2), 22–33.
72.
WeissM., HechtmanL. T., & WeissG. (2001). ADHD in adulthood: A guide to current theory, diagnosis, and treatment. Taylor & Francis.
73.
WhiteH. A., & ShahP. (2006). Uninhibited imaginations: creativity in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Personality and individual differences, 40(6), 1121–1131.
74.
WhiteH. A., & ShahP. (2011). Creative style and achievement in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Personality and individual differences, 50(5), 673–677.
75.
WiklundJ., PatzeltH., & DimovD. (2016). Entrepreneurship and psychological disorders: How ADHD can be productively harnessed. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 5, 14–20.
76.
WiklundJ., YuW., TuckerR., & MarinoL. D. (2017). ADHD, impulsivity, and entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Venturing, 32(6), 627–656.
77.
WismansA., ThurikR., VerheulI., & TorrèsO. (2020). ADHD symptoms and entrepreneurial orientation: Evidence from France and the Netherlands. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 13, e00154.
78.
YuW., WiklundJ., & Pérez-LuñoA. (2021). ADHD symptoms, entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and firm performance. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(1), 92–117.
79.
YuW., WiklundJ., TuckerR., & MarinoL. D. (2022). ADHD symptoms, entrepreneurial orientation, and firm performance. Journal of Business Venturing, 37(3), 106203.
