Analyzing Financial Behavior in Graduate Students in Economics, Administration and Accounting Sciences

This study examines the financial behavior of university students in Economics, Business Administration, and Accounting in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, using the FB–13 instrument. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses validate a three-dimensional structure: (1) financial planning and control, (2) savings and financial preparation, and (3) fulfillment of obligations, with high internal consistency (α = 0.915), supporting its psychometric robustness in Latin American academic contexts. Based on a sample of 714 students with variation in gender, age, work experience, and parental status, the findings reveal significant correlations between financial behavior and experiential variables such as work experience and parenthood, while traditional sociodemographic attributes show limited association. These results highlight the relevance of lived experiences in shaping financial practices and address a notable gap in culturally grounded validation of financial behavior instruments. The study acknowledges limitations related to cross-sectional design, non-probabilistic sampling, and self-reported data, yet these do not diminish its contributions. By validating the FB–13 in Honduras, the research offers comparative evidence and promotes cultural diversity in financial behavior literature. Future research should pursue longitudinal and qualitative approaches, assess the role of digital financial tools, and inform educational and institutional strategies that integrate family and work contexts to strengthen financial literacy and resilience among university students.