Untying Financial Stress and Financial Anxiety: Implications for Research and Financial Practitioners

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to test for differences in the predictors of financial stress and financial anxiety using data from the 2018 FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study (NFCS). This study further investigated how financial stress and financial anxiety are associated with financial satisfaction. The results revealed similarities and differences in the predictors of financial stress and financial anxiety. Furthermore, the findings show that financial stress and financial anxiety are negatively associated with financial satisfaction, with a stronger effect of financial anxiety than financial stress with financial satisfaction. Researchers and practitioners often use financial stress and financial anxiety interchangeably; however, the results of this study offer evidence of variation in the characteristics associated with each construct. Implications for research and financial practitioners working with individuals and families dealing with financial stress and financial anxiety are discussed.