Impact of Family Health on the Monetary Success of the Entrepreneur: Entrepreneur-Spouse-Child Interdependence

Abstract

Entrepreneurs’ earnings are shaped by both individual and family health, yet the interdependent effects of entrepreneur, spouse, and child health remain understudied. National Health Interview Survey data from 2010 to 2018 show disproportionate and contrasting effects of family health on an entrepreneur’s earnings for married vs. single parents and male vs. female entrepreneurs. While an entrepreneur’s poor health negatively impacts their earnings, a spouse’s health only affects the earnings of male entrepreneurs. Poor child health negatively impacts the earnings of married mothers but not fathers. However, poor child health negatively impacts the earnings of single fathers. The study highlights the need for effective health management plans targeting entrepreneurs’ heterogeneity by marital status and gender, focusing on the family rather than the individual.