Buy Now, Pay Later Use and Financial Stress among Generation Z in Bengaluru: The Role of Impulsive Buying and Financial Capability
Shabreen Siddiqua
Abstract
Purpose. This study examines the relationship between Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) use and financial stress among Generation Z in Bengaluru, with particular attention to impulsive buying, financial confidence, income and saving behaviour. Design/methodology/approach. The study uses primary survey data collected through a structured questionnaire and applies descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The source manuscript reports 80 respondents in the abstract and 85 questionnaire respondents in the methodology; this discrepancy should be verified against the final dataset before submission. The reported regression model examines financial stress as the dependent variable and behavioural and financial factors as explanatory variables. Findings. The reported mean financial-stress score was 2.837 (SD = 1.067). BNPL awareness was high (86.8%), whereas reported BNPL use was substantially lower (28.9%). The regression model reportedly explained 41% of the variance in financial stress (R² = 0.41; Significance F = 0.0299). Impulsive buying was reported as the strongest positive predictor (coefficient = 0.38, p = 0.0001), while financial confidence, income and savings were associated with lower financial stress. Originality/value. The study contributes local evidence on BNPL-related financial stress among Generation Z in Bengaluru by integrating spending behaviour with financial-capability variables. The findings suggest that financial stress is more closely associated with spending and financial-management behaviour than with BNPL awareness alone.