Abstract
Given the growing mental health challenges among students in the United States, this study examines how financial stress is associated with anxiety and assesses whether anxiety mediates the relationship between financial stress and academic disruption among U.S. postsecondary students. Data from the 2023–2024 Healthy Minds Study were analyzed using survey-weighted linear regression models to assess the association between financial stress and anxiety, and a generalized structural equation model (GSEM) to test whether anxiety mediates the relationship between financial stress and academic disruption. Results showed that financial stress was significantly associated with anxiety. Mediation analysis indicated that anxiety significantly mediated the relationship between financial stress and academic disruption and accounted for more than half of the total association. These findings suggest that anxiety may serve as a psychological intermediary in the relationship between financial stress and academic functioning. Overall, the results indicate that financial stress is a threat to students’ mental health and may contribute to anxiety-related academic disruption, which may undermine educational participation and success. Therefore, these findings highlight financial stress and anxiety as interconnected barriers and emphasize the need for integrated financial, mental health, and academic support services.