<![CDATA[Background: Psychological distress is one of the psychological problems that contract teachers are vulnerable to experiencing, particularly when facing financial limitations and uncertainty regarding employment conditions. Financial anxiety can increase psychological pressure through concerns about financial conditions and security, but its impact may differ for everyone. Social support is thought to play a role in reducing this vulnerability by providing psychological and emotional resources for coping with financial stress. Objective: This study aims to examine the effect of financial anxiety on psychological distress and the role of social support as a moderator among contract teachers. Methods: The study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design involving 100 contract teachers selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Financial Anxiety Scale (FAS), and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL). Data analysis used Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). Results: The results demonstrated that social support significantly moderated the relationship between financial anxiety and psychological distress (β = -0,164; p = 0,018). The negative interaction coefficient indicates that social support weakens the effect of financial anxiety on psychological distress. Substantively, the moderation effect suggests that stronger social support may help buffer psychological vulnerability when contract teachers face financial anxiety. Conclusion: These findings indicate that social support serves as a protective factor that can reduce the impact of financial anxiety on psychological distress among contract teachers.]]>
