Financial Behaviors and Their Predictive Power on  Stress: A Neutrosophic QCA Approach

Suly Sendy Pérez-Castañeda; Blanca Estela Hernández-Bonilla; Dorie Cruz-Ramírez; Beatriz  Sauza-Ávila; Gisela Janeth Espinosa-Martínez

Authors

Suly Sendy Pérez-Castañeda Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México.
Blanca Estela Hernández-Bonilla Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, México.
Dorie Cruz-Ramírez Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México.
Beatriz Sauza-Ávila Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México
Gisela Janeth Espinosa-Martínez Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Coacalco, Estado de México, Mexico:

Keywords:

Financial behavior, Financial stress, Financial well-being, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), Fuzzy Quali tative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA), Neutrosophic Qualitative Comparative Analysis (NQCA).

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between financial behaviors and financial stress levels in a representative sample
of Mexican adults (N = 352). Two indices were constructed: the Financial Behavior Index – Psychological Factors (FBIPF) and
the Financial Stress Index (FSI). To study the relationship between the two aspects, classical statistical correlation methods were
replaced by the Neutrosophic Qualitative Comparative Analysis (NQCA). NQCA is a generalization of Crisp QCA and Fuzzy
QCA to the neutrosophic framework, where, in addition to a truth value, an indeterminacy and falsity value are taken into account.
In this way, indeterminacy and uncertainty are considered, gaining accuracy. On the other hand, the QCA method is a more
flexible alternative to statistical correlation, since it uses set-based measures in situations where there are causal relationships
between concepts, rather than equivalence. So, the existence of multicausality is modeled. The method is also an intermediate
technique between qualitative and quantitative methods.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15786726