Double-edge sword analysis on the effects of financial attitude and ‎financial behavior among Philippine air force military ‎personnel

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of financial attitudes and behaviors ‎among PAF personnel to identify the root causes of persis-tent ‎financial challenges. Using a descriptive correlational design, the study ‎gathered data through a researcher-developed survey that assessed ‎financial behavior, attitudes, and actual and perceived financial ‎knowledge. A stratified random sample of 248 officers and enlisted ‎members from various units under the Headquarters Air Logistics ‎Command at Clark Air Base, Pampanga, was selected from a total ‎population of 696. Data were analyzed using statistical tools such as ‎Frequency and Percentage, Mean, 7-Point Likert Scale, Binary Scale, ‎ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U Test, and General Linear Mediation ‎Analysis. Results showed that financial behav-ior (mean = 5.81) and ‎financial attitudes (mean = 5.66) were extremely high, reflecting ‎strong money management habits and a tendency to avoid loans and ‎reduce unnecessary spending. However, actual financial knowledge ‎‎(70.2%) and perceived financial knowledge (73.8%) remained critically ‎low, suggesting a lack of financial confidence among personnel. The ‎analysis revealed a sig-nificant relationship between actual financial ‎knowledge and financial behavior (p = 0.005), emphasizing that ‎stronger financial literacy promotes better financial practices. In ‎contrast, perceived financial knowledge (p = 0.688) and financial ‎attitude (p = 0.156) did not significantly mediate financial behavior. In ‎response, the study proposes the PAF Financial Literacy Yearning ‎‎(FLY) Pro-gram—a comprehensive five-year initiative aimed at bridging ‎knowledge gaps, reinforcing positive behaviors, and strengthening ‎both individual and organizational financial resilience‎.