The longitudinal psychological pathway from family support to entrepreneurial intention: a mediation model of entrepreneurial self-efficacy among art and design students

Introduction Entrepreneurial intention is increasingly recognized as an important outcome within creative disciplines, yet limited longitudinal evidence exists regarding the social and psychological factors associated with its development among art and design students. Methods Drawing on the extended Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory, this study examines the longitudinal associations between family support, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, perceived behavioral control, and entrepreneurial intention among Chinese art and design students. Using a three-wave survey design, data were collected from 786 students enrolled in art and design programs across three provinces in China. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine direct and indirect associations among the study variables over time. Results The results indicate that entrepreneurial attitude and PBC are positively associated with entrepreneurial intention, whereas subjective norm shows no significant association. Family support is positively associated with entrepreneurial intention and is also related to higher levels of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and PBC. Moreover, entrepreneurial self-efficacy partially mediates the longitudinal association between family support and entrepreneurial intention, highlighting its role as a key psychological mechanism linking social support with entrepreneurial motivation. Discussion By integrating extended Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory within a longitudinal framework, this study advances understanding of how social context and self-beliefs jointly relate to entrepreneurial intention in creative education. The findings underscore the relevance of family support and entrepreneurial self-efficacy in art and design contexts and offer implications for entrepreneurship education and support strategies tailored to creative disciplines.