PERSONALITY TRAITS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AS PREDICTORS OFENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION: EVIDENCE FROM NURSING STUDENTS INNIGERIA

Authors

  • A. K. OJEWUMI Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Faculty of Social Science. Author
  • J. T. Oyeleke Department of Psychology, Leeds City University, Ibadan Author
  • C. E. Etuka Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta state. Author
  • A. Oyewusi Department of Psychology, Leeds City University, Ibadan Author
  • T. J. Uthman Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Faculty of Social Science. Author
  • O. I. Ajayi Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Faculty of Social Science. Author

Keywords:

Entrepreneurial intention, personality traits, perceived social support, nursing students, Nigeria

Abstract

At the moment, entrepreneurship is commonly seen as strategic to innovation, job creation
and socio-economic development, among others, including the healthcare industry. However,
limited focus has been placed on psychological and social determinants of entrepreneurial
intention among nursing students. The primary objective of this paper was to evaluate the
capacity of personality dimensions and perceived social support mechanisms to predict
entrepreneurial intention within a sample of Nigerian nursing students. Utilizing a crosssectional survey design, this investigation was anchored in the Big Five Personality Traits
Model, Social Support Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Data were gathered
from a convenience sample of 200 nursing students across two selected universities located
in Osun State, Nigeria. MSPSS (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), 10-
item Personality Inventory (TIPI), and Entrepreneurial Intention Scale (EIS) served as the
mechanism for data retrieval. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 and
AMOS for path-estimate presentation, employing descriptive statistics, independent-samples
t-tests, and observed-variable regression/path models. Extraversion (B = 4.77, p < .001),
conscientiousness (B = 1.71, p = .004), and openness to experience (B = 3.45, p < .001)
were found to significantly predict entrepreneurial intention, while agreeableness and
neuroticism failed to do so. Perceived social support was also a significant positive predictor
(B = 0.52, p < .001). Moreover, female students recorded significantly higher
entrepreneurial intention scores than male students (p < .01), and students with prior
entrepreneurial experience had higher entrepreneurial intention scores than those without
such experience (p = .013). The empirical evidence accentuates the urgency of incorporating
entrepreneurship education into nursing education programmes and support systems that can
harness personality strengths and family, peer and significant-other support networks. The
results are relevant to health system innovations, youth employment and economic resilience
in emerging economies.

Published

2026-06-26

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1(B) (2026)

Section

Articles