Mediating Effect of Money Attitude on The Influence of Financial Literacy, Financial Behavior, Self-Efficacy on The Financial Health of The Sandwich Generation

In the Philippines, where strong family connections and obligations across generations are prevalent, the "sandwich generation" faces the ‎challenge of providing support to both aging parents and dependent children. This research investigated the relationships between financial ‎literacy, financial behavior, self-efficacy, money attitudes, and financial health among 467 adults from the sandwich generation in Batangas ‎Province. Utilizing a descriptive research design and structured questionnaires, the study characterized the respondents and examined the ‎connections between essential financial and psychological variables. The results indicated that the majority of respondents were female, had ‎completed college education, and belonged to the lower-middle-income category, exhibiting high levels of financial literacy (M = 3.28) and ‎self-efficacy (M = 3.35), while displaying only moderate financial behavior and financial health. Regression analysis revealed that financial ‎literacy had a significant impact on financial behavior (R² = .545) and self-efficacy (R² = .492), and together, financial literacy, behavior, and ‎self-efficacy accounted for 57.2% of the variance in financial health. Among these factors, financial behavior had the most substantial influence (B = .445), highlighting the importance of applying knowledge through consistent financial practices. Mediation analyses showed that ‎money attitudes partially mediated the relationships between financial literacy and financial behavior with financial health, but not the connection between self-efficacy and financial health. These findings emphasize the crucial role of behavior and attitudes, in addition to knowledge, ‎in fostering financial resilience. The study concludes that while adults in the Filipino sandwich generation possess financial awareness and ‎confidence, their financial well-being is still at risk due to caregiving demands. Therefore, interventions should incorporate financial education, behavioral support, and culturally appropriate assistance programs to enhance long-term financial health‎.