Analysing the predictors of financial stress and financial well-being among the bottom 40 percent (B40) households in Malaysia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2022
Abstract
This paper aims to analyse factors affecting financial stress among the Bottom 40 Percent (B40) group of Malaysian households, reflecting overall financial well-being. Data were collected through questionnaires from 1008 respondents across five major regions in Malaysia. The data were analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). This study provides evidence that financial behaviour, financial vulnerability (debt and income), and locus of control (luck and self-confidence) significantly affect financial stress among B40 households. The results show a significantly positive relationship between financial stress with financial vulnerability (debt and income) and locus of control (self-confidence). On the contrary, financial behaviour and locus of control (luck) show a significant negative relationship with financial stress. The result also indicates that financial stress affects financial well-being. Overall, the findings indicate that policy-makers should invent more effective and substantial stimulus packages or other measures to reduce the financial burden on B40 households. The findings could eventually provide insights for future research to delve into the social impact of financial stress. This study also has established a valid and reliable instrument to measure financial stress involving B40 households in Malaysia that eventually reflects the financial well-being of this group of people.
Keywords
Financial behaviour, Financial knowledge, Financial stress, Financial vulnerability, Financial well-being, Locus of control
Divisions
Faculty_of_Business_and_Accountancy,finance
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia under Long Term Research Grant Scheme-Malaysia Research University Network (LRGS-MRUN) (LRGS/1/2016/UKM/02/1/4)
Publication Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
19
Issue
19
Publisher
MDPI
Publisher Location
ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND