THE INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL LITERACY ON FINANCIAL BEHAVIOR WITH FINANCIAL RISK TOLERANCE AS A MEDIATOR AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS A MODERATOR IN GEN Z OF CENTRAL JAVA PROVINCE
Published:
2026-07-04Downloads
Abstract
This study aims to examine the effect of financial literacy on financial behaviour among Generation Z in Central Java, Indonesia, by investigating the mediating role of financial risk tolerance and the moderating role of emotional intelligence. This study employed a quantitative approach using a survey method. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire distributed to Generation Z respondents and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software. The results indicate that financial literacy positively and significantly influences financial behaviour (β = 0.487, p < 0.001) and financial risk tolerance (β = 0.587, p < 0.001). Financial risk tolerance also positively affects financial behaviour (β = 0.342, p < 0.001). Emotional intelligence positively influences financial risk tolerance (β = 0.315, p = 0.001), but it does not directly influence financial behaviour (β = -0.024, p = 0.715). Furthermore, emotional intelligence strengthens the influence of financial literacy on both financial behaviour and financial risk tolerance. Financial risk tolerance also mediates the relationships between financial literacy and financial behaviour, as well as between emotional intelligence and financial behaviour. This study contributes to the literature by proposing a moderated mediation model that integrates cognitive, emotional, and risk management dimensions to explain sustainable financial behaviour among Generation Z in the digital economy.
Keywords:
financial literacy financial behaviour financial risk tolerance emotional intelligence Generation PLS-SEM.References
Aren, S., & Zengin, A. N. (2016). Influence of financial literacy and risk perception on choice of investment. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 235, 656–663.
Beal, D. J., & Delpachitra, S. B. (2003). Financial literacy among Australian university students. Economic Papers-Economic Society of Australia, 22(1), 65–78.
Grable, J. E., Kruger, M., Lynn Byram, J., & Tech Eun Jin Kwak, V. (2021). Perceptions of a Partner’s Spending and Saving Behavior and Financial Satisfaction. Journal of Financial Therapy, 12(1).
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Using R: A Workbook. Springer International Publishing. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=e2p8zgEACAAJ
Johan, I., Rowlingson, K., & Appleyard, L. (2021). The effect of personal finance education on the financial knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of university students in Indonesia. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 42(2), 351–367.
Khasanah, A. M., Khafid, M., & Santoso, J. T. B. (2022). The Impact of Financial Literacy, Emotional Intelligence, and Peer Conformity through Money Attitudes on Consumptive Behavior. Journal of Economic Education, 11(1), 190–197.
Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2014). The economic importance of financial literacy: Theory and evidence. Journal of Economic Literature, 52(1), 5–44.
Mandell, L., & Klein, L. S. (2009). The impact of financial literacy education on subsequent financial behavior. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 20(1).
Ningtyas, M. N., & Putra, R. S. (2024). Intelligence, financial literacy, and financial behavior: A study on Generation Z. IQTISHODUNA, 20(2), 121–141.
Song, C. L., Pan, D., Ayub, A., & Cai, B. (2023). The Interplay Between Financial Literacy, Financial Risk Tolerance, and Financial Behaviour: The Moderator Effect of Emotional Intelligence. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 535–548. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S398450
Xiao, J. J., & Porto, N. (2017). Financial education and financial satisfaction: Financial literacy, behavior, and capability as mediators. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 35(5), 805–817.
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Linda Susilowati, Dwi Cahyaningdyah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.









