The Role of Self-Control in Reducing Financial Threat Perception at The Onset of Covid-19 Pandemic

In this study we attempt to understand how people manage their condition during uncertainty, such as the economic crisis induced by the Covid-19 pandemic. In short, we analyze the relationship between self-control, good financial behavior, and financial threat perception at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. A web-based survey was conducted to collect the sample (n = 589) in Indonesians people. This study found that self-control not only encourages good financial behavior but also reduces financial threat perception in the middle of uncertainty. However, good financial behavior cannot mediate the effect of self-control and financial threat perception. Our study provides evidence that at the onset of a financial crisis, self-control is needed to cope with acute stress that arises from sudden uncertainty. Having good financial behavior cannot fully alleviate financial threat perception. Self-control has a direct mechanism in coping with financial threats during COVID-19.