The Role of Risk Tolerance in Linking Psychological Biases and Financial Literacy to Gen Z Stock Trading Frequency

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33506/sl.v15i2.5593

Keywords:

Overconfidence, Optimism Bias, Financial Literacy, Risk Tolerance, Trading Frequency

Abstract

Positioning risk tolerance as a mediating variable, this study investigates the extent to which overconfidence, optimism bias, and financial literacy shape stock trading frequency among Generation Z investors in Malang City. A quantitative approach with an explanatory design was employed, with purposive sampling used to select 100 respondents. Data were gathered through a questionnaire instrument and subsequently analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 software via SEM-PLS method. The results indicate that overconfidence, optimism bias, and financial literacy all bear a positive and significant influence on risk tolerance. Interestingly, not one of these three variables was found to produce a direct effect on stock trading frequency. Risk tolerance was demonstrated to serve as a full mediator in the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, while at the same time yielding a significant positive effect on trading frequency. These findings point to the conclusion that the trading behavior of Generation Z investors in Malang City is governed far more by their individual level of risk tolerance than by psychological or cognitive factors operating in isolation. 

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Published

2026-05-02

How to Cite

Efendi, M. Z., & Fitriyah, F. (2026). The Role of Risk Tolerance in Linking Psychological Biases and Financial Literacy to Gen Z Stock Trading Frequency. SENTRALISASI, 15(2), 262–293. https://doi.org/10.33506/sl.v15i2.5593

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