Self-Efficacy as a Key Psychological Driver of Youth Entrepreneurial Intention in Crisis-Affected Manipur, India

Abstract

Entrepreneurial engagement among youths in Manipur declined during the 2023 to 2024 crisis, despite the urgent need for income generation and economic resilience. Limited empirical evidence exists on how psychological factors influence entrepreneurial intention under such unstable conditions. This study examines the role of self-efficacy, locus of control, need for achievement, and crisis effect in shaping entrepreneurial intention, based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The study adopts a descriptive and explanatory research design. The population comprises youths in Manipur, and a sample of 345 respondents was selected using a structured sampling technique, with sample size determined through standard statistical criteria. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire, supported by relevant secondary sources. Data analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling with AMOS version 21.0 to test the proposed relationships. The findings reveal that self-efficacy has a significant and positive influence on entrepreneurial intention, while locus of control, need for achievement, and crisis effect do not show significant impact within the model. The study concludes that self-efficacy is a key psychological driver of entrepreneurial intention during crisis conditions and plays an important role in strengthening youth resilience and adaptive economic behaviour. The study recommends focused educational and policy interventions to enhance entrepreneurial self-efficacy among youths. Skill development programs, entrepreneurship training, and institutional support should prioritize confidence building and position entrepreneurship as a practical pathway for economic stability in crisis-affected regions.