<![CDATA[Quarter-life crisis (QLC) has emerged as a significant psychological challenge among Generation Z university students, highlighting the importance of understanding its psychological and socioeconomic determinants. This study examined the mediating role of mindset in the relationships between general psychological distress, socioeconomic status (SES), and QLC using covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM). This cross-sectional study included 612 university students aged 18–28 years from six provinces in Java, Indonesia. Measures included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), SES indicators, the Revised Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale, and the Quarter-Life Crisis Scale. The structural model demonstrated acceptable fit (CFI = 0.909; RMSEA = 0.051). General psychological distress had a significant positive direct effect on QLC (β = 0.50) and a significant negative effect on mindset (β = −0.81). Mindset had a significant negative direct effect on QLC (β = −0.49). Mindset also had significant indirect effects on QLC through psychological distress (β = 0.39) and SES (β = 0.05). These findings indicate that QLC is shaped more strongly by internal psychological processes than by external socioeconomic conditions. The results highlight the importance of developing higher education interventions that integrate emotional regulation and growth mindset to support students in managing developmental challenges. Keywords: generation Z, mindset, psychological distress, quarter-life crisis, socioeconomic status]]>
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