QUOTIENT, MENTAL HEALTH, AND RESILIENCE IN PREDICTING ENTREPRENEURIAL READINESS AMONG HEALTH-SCIENCE STUDENTS

Abstract

Entrepreneurial readiness among health-science students is important in supporting healthcare innovation. Understanding the psychological factors that shape this readiness is essential for developing effective educational strategies. This study aimed to analyze the influence of mental health, adversity quotient, and resilience on entrepreneurial readiness, and to examine the mediating role of resilience. A cross-sectional study involving 412 health-science students was conducted. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Measurement validity was confirmed through the Fornell–Larcker criterion and HTMT ratios. Adversity quotient was found to be the strongest predictor of entrepreneurial readiness (β = 0.734), followed by resilience (β = 0.466) and mental health (β = 0.260). Mental health (β = 0.367) and adversity quotient (β = 0.531) also significantly predicted resilience. Mediation analysis revealed that resilience partially mediated both the mental health → entrepreneurial readiness pathway (β = 0.171) and the adversity quotient → entrepreneurial readiness pathway (β = 0.293). The model demonstrated exceptional explanatory power, accounting for 98.9% (R² = 0.989) of the variance in entrepreneurial readiness. Psychological resources—particularly adversity coping capacity and resilience—can increase entrepreneurial readiness among health-science students. Educational programs that strengthen resilience, enhance adaptive coping, and support mental health may effectively foster entrepreneurial preparedness in health education contexts.