Validity and reliability analysis of a financial literacy scale in university students in Peru

Abstract

The relevance and urgency of financial education have been notable in recent years as it seeks to contribute to the common good of society, particularly for the younger population. This study presents a validated financial literacy (FL) scale for Peruvian university students with a favorable degree of reliability. The FL scale analyzed includes two dimensions: financial behavior and attitude. To carry out this study, 400 university students from 15 different public and private universities from the coast, mountains, and jungle of Peru were surveyed. Confirmatory factor analysis provided adequate support for the two-factor model with 11 items (CMIN/DF =2.602; CFI =0.974; RMSEA =0.063; SRMR =0.045; and PClose =0.061), in addition to showing good internal consistency based on the values of Alpha (0.915, 0.873) and CR (0.916, 0.875). The results suggest that the scale presents adequate psychometric evidence to measure financial literacy in university students. Thus, it aims to contribute to the advancement of the scientific study of financial education in Peru.