An Assessment of Generation Z Students’ Fear of Failure and Resilience in Entrepreneurship Under Academic and Social Media Stressors

Abstract

This quantitative descriptive-correlational research aimed to study the relationship between academic stress, social media influence, fear of failure and resilience in Generation Z entrepreneurship students. The study was based on Conroy’s Performance Failure Appraisal Theory, Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory and Luthans’ Psychological Capital Framework. The study evaluated N = 33 Grade 12 Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) students from Carlos L. Albert High School in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Data were collected using a validated 4-point-Likert scale consisting of the short-form of the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI) and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Descriptive and correlational statistical analyzes showed that students experienced high levels of academic coursework stress and social media “hustle culture” pressure, which significantly correlated with increased fear of failure (p < 0.05). In addition, fear of failure was significantly negatively correlated with student psychological resilience (p < 0.05). These empirical results indicate the need for institutional measures, failure-tolerant criteria for the evaluation of business plans and contextual advisory programs that promote resilience among student entrepreneurs.