This study aims to examine the roles of financial knowledge, financial attitude, and financial literacy in financial management behavior, with locus of control serving as a mediating variable and income as a moderating variable among Generation Z in Central Java. The study employed a purposive sampling technique, while data were collected through a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0. This study examined the direct and indirect relationships, as well as the moderating effects among the variables, using the Structural Equation Modeling Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) approach. The results indicate that financial knowledge, financial attitude, and financial literacy have positive and significant effects on locus of control. Furthermore, financial knowledge and financial literacy have positive and significant effects on financial management behavior. Locus of control was also found to have a positive and significant effect on financial management behavior. In addition, locus of control mediates the effects of financial knowledge, financial attitude, and financial literacy on financial management behavior. Income was also found to moderate the relationship between financial knowledge and financial management behavior. Therefore, the findings confirm that strengthening financial knowledge, financial attitude, and financial literacy, supported by stronger locus of control and an adequate level of income, can improve the financial management behavior of Generation Z in Central Java.
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