The Impact of Financial Anxiety on Future Anxiety and Migration Intention Among University Students: The Mediating Role of Perceived Economic Inequality

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 6 Sayı: 3, 362 - 391, 11.10.2025

Ayhan Durmuş

https://doi.org/10.54733/smar.1643634

Öz

This study aims to examine the mediating role of perceived economic inequality in the relationship between financial anxiety and both future anxiety and migration intention among university students, within the framework of social comparison theory. The research was conducted using a relational survey model. A total of 784 university students participated in the data collection process. The data were gathered through the Financial Anxiety Scale, Future Anxiety Scale, Migration Intention Scale, and Perceived Economic Inequality Scale. The hypotheses were tested using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The findings indicate that financial anxiety has both a direct effect on future anxiety and migration intention, and an indirect (mediated) effect through perceived economic inequality. The study reveals how financial anxiety shapes students’ future expectations and life decisions. These findings highlight the significant influence of financial anxiety and economic inequality on broader social dynamics. As a contribution to the literature, the study enhances the understanding of the interrelations among financial anxiety, perceived economic inequality, and migration intention, and offers insights for the development of relevant public policies.

Anahtar Kelimeler

financial anxiety , future anxiety , migration intention , economic inequality , university students

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Finansal Kaygının Gelecek Kaygısı ve Göç Niyetine Etkisi: Algılanan Ekonomik Eşitsizliğin Aracılık Rolü

Öz

Bu çalışma, sosyal karşılaştırma teorisi temelinde finansal kaygının üniversite öğrencilerindeki gelecek kaygısı ve göç niyeti üzerindeki etkisinde, algılanan ekonomik eşitsizliğin aracılık rolünü incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma, ilişkisel tarama modeli kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veri toplama sürecinde 784 üniversite öğrencisi yer almıştır. Veri toplama araçları olarak Finansal Kaygı Ölçeği, Gelecek Kaygısı Ölçeği, Göç Niyeti Ölçeği ve Algılanan Ekonomik Eşitsizlik Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Hipotezler, Kısmi En Küçük Kareler Yapısal Eşitlik Modellemesi (PLS-SEM) yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, finansal kaygının gelecek kaygısı ve göç niyeti üzerinde hem doğrudan bir etkiye sahip olduğunu hem de algılanan ekonomik eşitsizlik üzerinden dolaylı (aracılık) etkisi bulunduğunu göstermektedir. Çalışma, finansal kaygının, öğrencilerin geleceğe yönelik beklentilerini ve yaşam kararlarını nasıl etkilediğini ortaya koymuştur. Bu bulgular, finansal kaygı ve ekonomik eşitsizlik konularının toplumsal dinamikler üzerinde önemli etkiler yarattığını vurgulamaktadır. Literatüre katkı olarak, finansal kaygı, ekonomik eşitsizlik ve göç niyeti arasındaki ilişkilerin daha iyi anlaşılmasına katkı sağlanmakta ve bu alandaki politika geliştirme süreçlerine ışık tutmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

finansal kaygı , gelecek kaygısı , göç niyeti , ekonomik eşitsizlik , üniversite öğrencileri

Kaynakça

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