Attitude Towards Part-Time Employment of Undergraduate Students in Relation to Their Financial Literacy and Social Perception

The increasing cost of higher education and living expenses has led to a significant and steady rise in the number of undergraduate students engaging in part-time employment. This trend is driven not only by financial necessity but also by students seeking practical work experience and the development of essential life skills. However, the decision to work part-time raises critical questions regarding its influence on academic performance, financial behaviour, and mental health. While prior research acknowledges the importance of both financial literacy and social perception in this context, there remains a notable lack of comprehensive studies exploring the integrated interrelationship of these three variables. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between financial literacy and social perception as predictors of undergraduate students' attitudes toward part-time employment. A normative survey method was employed, utilizing a stratified random sampling technique to select a sample of 420 second-year undergraduate students across six districts of Kerala. Data was collected using an Attitude toward Part-Time Employment Scale, a Financial Literacy Test, and a Social Perception Scale, all prepared and standardized by the investigators. The analysis revealed that the attitude toward part-time employment among undergraduate students was at an above-average level. Furthermore, the students' level of financial literacy was also found to be above average. A key finding was that the combined effect of financial literacy and social perception on the students’ attitude toward part-time employment was significant. While the attitude toward part-time employment did not significantly differ based on gender, place of residence, or type of institution, a significant difference was observed based on the student's subject of study. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions and institutional policies that promote financial literacy and foster a positive social outlook on student employment to support their holistic development.