Post-conflict societies, such as Kosovo and Metohija, are characterized by the long-term consequences of armed conflicts which, in addition to economic and institutional challenges, significantly shape the psychological functioning of individuals and the quality of social relations. In this context, traumatic experiences and accompanying psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress, may influence economic behavior and social attitudes, including entrepreneurship and the level of social distance toward other social groups. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of trauma and psychological factors on entrepreneurial intentions and motives for starting a business, as well as on social distance in the post-conflict society of Kosovo and Metohija. The research is based on a quantitative approach and was conducted using a survey method on a sample of 105 entrepreneurs from the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. The research instrument included several dimensions of psychological functioning, including symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, moral injuries, and psychological resilience, as well as indicators of entrepreneurial behavior and social distance. The research results indicate that trauma and accompanying psychological factors represent statistically significant determinants of entrepreneurship and social distance, while different dimensions of psychological functioning achieve different intensities and directions of influence. The obtained results contribute to a better understanding of the role of psychological factors in shaping economic behavior and social relations in post-conflict conditions, while also indicating the importance of integrating psychological and economic perspectives in creating policies aimed at sustainable development and social cohesion.

Read online

Download this PDF file

Aman. (2023). Seeds of Renewal: Entrepreneurship's Role in Building Post-Conflict Underdeveloped Economies. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 13(10), 352-361. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.13.10.2023.p14246

Bogdea, C. F., Rada, E. C., Boglut, G. I., Golosie, G. D., & Samfirescu, M. (2024). The Importance of Entrepreneurship and the Exploration of Future Development Directions. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference: Business Excellence 2024. (2516-2525). Sciendo.

Chatterjee, N., & Das, N. (2015). Key psychological factors as predictors of entrepreneurial success: A conceptual framework. Acad. Entrep. J., 21(1), 102–114.

Chen, M. (2019). The impact of expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment on work stress and job involvement in the high-tech industry. Frontiers in Psychology, 10:2228. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02228

Connor, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. T. (2003). Development of a Newresilience Scale: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (Cd-Risc). Depression and Anxiety, 18, 76–82. DOI: 10.1002/da.10113

Do, T. T. H., Correa-Velez, I., & Dunne, M. P. (2019). Trauma exposure and mental health problems among adults in Central Vietnam: A randomized cross-sectional survey. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10(31). DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00031

Iakovleva, T. A., Kolvereid, L., Gorgievski, M. J., & Sørhaug, O. (2014). Comparison of perceived barriers to entrepreneurship in Eastern and Western European countries. Int. J. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 18(2/3), 115-133.

Jakšić, K., & Vuković, A. (2021). Entrepreneurship in Serbian Enclaves in Region of Kosovo and Metohia: Post-Conflict Situation and Possible Moderating Function of Small Enterprises Regulation. Baština, sv. 55, 203-222. DOI: 10.5937/bastina31-33756

Johnson, R. J., Antonaccio, O., Botchkovar, E., & Hobfoll, S. E. (2022). War trauma and PTSD in Ukraine’s civilian population: comparing urban-dwelling to internally displaced persons. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 57, 1807–1816.

Jović, N. (2019). Etnička distanca u ogledalu Srba i Albanaca. Realizacija normalizacije. Budućnost odnosa Beograda i Prištine. Fondacija Konrad Adenauer Univerzitet u Beogradu – Fakultet političkih nauka Centar za interdisciplinarne studije Balkana, 29-32.

Kritikos, A. (2022). Personality and Entrepreneurship. Global Labor Organization – GLO, Discussion Paper No. 1137.

Küçükertan, N. O., & Karanci, A. N. (2023). A Study for Scale Development: War Trauma Exposure Scale. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, 10(2), 265–293. DOI : 10.31682/ayna.1202068

Ljumovic, I., Jakšić, K., & Lečovski – Milojkić, I. (2019). Aspirations towards Entrepreneurship and Self-awareness among Young Female Population in the North Kosovo & Metohija. Journal of Women’s Entrepreneurship and Education, 3-4, 1-16. DOI: 10.28934/jwee19.34.pp1-16

Moritz, A., Block, J., & Morina, F. (2024). Entrepreneurship in post conflict countries: a literature review. Review of Managerial Science, 18, 3025–3083. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-023-00705-1

Nafari, J. (2025). Trauma & Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Opportunities Across Three Contexts. University PhD Business Administration, Hamilton, Ontario (Business).

Naudé, W. (2013). Entrepreneurship and Violent Conflict: An Overview. Maastricht School of Management and University of Maastricht.

Nguyen, B., & Tran, H. (2025). Childhood trauma and entrepreneurs’ individual entrepreneurial orientation. Journal of Small Business Management, 63(1), 170-220, DOI: 10.1080/00472778.2024.2309653

Norman, S. B., Griffin, B. J., Pietrzak, R. H., McLean, C., Hamblen, J. L., & Maguen, S. (2023). Moral Injury and Distress Scale (MIDS). Pristupljeno 12.07.2025. sa https://www.ptsd.va.gov.

Pérez-Sales, P., Vergara-Campos, M., Eiroa-Orosa, F. J., Olivos-Jara, P., Fernández-Liria, A., Barbero-Val, E., & Galán-Santamarina, A. (2022). Traumatology, 28(1), 109–119.

Reynolds, V. (2020), Trauma and resistance: ‘hang time’ and other innovative responses to oppression, violence and suffering. Journal of Family Therapy. doi:10.1111/1467-6427.12293

Shen, Z., Li, H., & Zhang, Y. (2021). Exploring the Relationship Between Entrepreneurship and Psychological Characteristics, and Corporate Social Responsibility Under Marketization. Frontiers in Psychology, 12:693644. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693644

Stojčetović, B., Marković, S., & Arsić, Lj. (2022). Entrepreneurial potential and intentions of students in Kosovo and Metohija. BizInfo, 13(1), 81-86. https://doi.org/10.5937/bizinfo2201081S

Sunarni, W. Z., Sunandar, A., & Benty, D. D. N. (2018). Development of self assessment as an instrument to measure entrepreneurial spirit of undergraduate students. Development, 2, 19–26.

Трипковић, А., & Алексић, И. (2024). Дигитално предузетништво кроз призму студентских ставова: изазови и могућности. Економски погледи, 26(2), 21- 44. DOI: 10.5937/ep26-54895

Vijaya, V., & Kamalanabhan, T. J. (1998). A Scale to Assess Entrepreneurial Motivation. Journal of Entrepreneurship, 7(2), 183-198. DOI: 10.1177/097135579800700204

Vujović, T., Badulescu, A., & Aleksić, I. (2025). Between Trauma and Initiative: Entrepreneurship Under Conditions of (Post)Conflict Instability in Kosovo and Metohija. EKOM 2025 – Ekonomski fakultet – Kosovska Mitrovica, 137-158. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/EKOM2025.137V

Wu, W., Wang, H., Zheng, C., & Wu, Y. J. (2019). Effect of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism on entrepreneurial intention— the mediating of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 10:360. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00360

Yurchynska, H., & Serdiuk, O. (2017). Psychological Factors of Starting Entrepreneurs’ Business Success. Social Welfare Interdisciplinary Approach, 7(2), 86-94.

Zoughbi, Z. (2024). Trauma and Resistance: Wiam Centre in Palestine. The Canadian Journal of Theology Mental Health and Disability, 4(1), 16-18