FINANCIAL INSECURITY AND PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES IN PAKISTAN: A QUANTITATIVE CORRELATIONAL STUDY

Background: Financial insecurity has emerged as a major psychosocial stressor globally, particularly in Western populations; however, research in South Asian regions, including Pakistan, remains limited. Young adults navigating early career transitions are especially vulnerable to financial stressors, which may contribute to adverse mental health outcomes. Given Pakistan's ongoing economic challenges and rising unemployment rates, understanding the psychological impact of financial insecurity on unemployed graduates is crucial for evidence-based public health interventions. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between financial insecurity and perceived stress among unemployed young adults in Pakistan aged 22 to 35 years who held at least a bachelor’s degree for a minimum duration of one year. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was employed, using purposive sampling to recruit 384 unemployed graduates from various regions of Pakistan. Inclusion criteria included Pakistani citizenship, residency, and qualification of at least a bachelor's degree. Data were collected using the six-item Economic Strain Scale and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Internal consistency of the scales was high, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.94 and 0.79–0.89, respectively. Ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection, and SPSS version 29 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The sample included 184 males (48%) and 200 females (52%), with a mean age of 24.53 years (SD = 2.11). Correlational analysis indicated a significant positive association between financial insecurity and perceived stress (r = 0.11, p < .05). Subgroup comparisons revealed higher stress levels among women, postgraduates, and rural participants, all with statistically significant differences (p < .001). Conclusion: The study underscores financial insecurity as a key contributor to psychological stress among unemployed Pakistani graduates. These findings advocate for urgent mental health interventions, economic reforms, and youth employment programs to mitigate stress and promote psychological well-being.