The Role of Religiosity and Stress in Entrepreneurial Motivation and Intention among University Students

Background: Entrepreneurial intention among university students is influenced by multiple psychological and social factors, including entrepreneurial motivation, religiosity, and perceived stress. Understanding these relationships is crucial for fostering entrepreneurship among young individuals, particularly in Vietnam, where cultural and economic conditions shape entrepreneurial aspirations. Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of entrepreneurial motivation, religiosity, and stress on entrepreneurial intention among Vietnamese university students. Methods: A sample of 120 religious university students participated in a self-report questionnaire, which included the following scales: the Duke University Religion Index, Entrepreneurial Motivation, Entrepreneurial Intention, Perceived Stress Scale, and demographic information. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests were applied to analyze the data. The PLS-SEM model was developed to establish the predictive model between variables. Results: The findings supported the positive impact of entrepreneurial motivation (self-efficacy beliefs, tolerance for risk, and desirability towards self-employment) on entrepreneurial intention. Intrinsic religiosity had a positive effect on entrepreneurial motivation, which in turn positively influenced entrepreneurial intention. Additionally, religious activities had a positive influence on entrepreneurial motivation through intrinsic religiosity. Furthermore, low self-efficacy negatively influences entrepreneurial motivation, and perceived helplessness negatively moderates the positive relationship between intrinsic religiosity and entrepreneurial motivation. Finally, differences in gender, family business background, and entrepreneurial club membership also revealed significant variations in entrepreneurial motivation and intention. Conclusion: The findings underscore how intrinsic religiosity and psychological resources interact to shape entrepreneurial intention. Recognizing the motivational role of religiosity, self-efficacy beliefs, and even perceived helplessness can guide the design of more effective, holistic entrepreneurship education and support systems. These insights are particularly relevant for countries like Vietnam and other Asian societies, where spirituality and collectivist values strongly influence students' career motivations and perceptions of entrepreneurship.