A Serial Mediation Model Of Brain Drain Attitude: The Role Of Life Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy, And Financial Anxiety Among Indonesian Youth Adult

Abstract Book of the 12th International Conference on Business, Management and Economics

Year: 2026

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A Serial Mediation Model Of Brain Drain Attitude: The Role Of Life Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy, And Financial Anxiety Among Indonesian Youth Adult

Eveline Christabella Tan, Kimberly Permata Onesea Koagow, Roy Setiawan

ABSTRACT:

As a developing country entering a demographic dividend era, Indonesia is experiencing a growing brain drain trend among young adults, reflected in increasing migration aspirations and social media movements. This phenomenon presents challenges for companies and organizations in retaining talented young workers and maintaining sustainable human capital. While previous studies have primarily focused on economic and policy determinants, limited research has examined the psychological mechanisms underlying brain drain attitudes in developing economies. This study aimed to evaluate the serial mediating roles of self-efficacy and financial anxiety in the relationship between life satisfaction and brain drain attitudes among Indonesian young adults. Using a quantitative explanatory design, data were collected from 200 Indonesian respondents aged 18–34 years consisting of university students and early-career professionals interested in international careers. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that life satisfaction increases self-efficacy and reduces financial anxiety, while self-efficacy positively influences both financial anxiety and brain drain attitudes. Financial anxiety was also found to strengthen brain drain attitudes among young adults. Furthermore, self-efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between life satisfaction and brain drain attitudes, whereas financial anxiety does not demonstrate a significant mediating effect. The study also reveals that life satisfaction alone does not directly predict brain drain attitudes. These findings highlight the importance of self-efficacy and financial anxiety in shaping brain drain attitudes among talented youth in developing countries and provide insights for policymakers in designing sustainable talent retention strategies.

Keywords: Human Capital; Migration Intentions; Psychological Factors; Talent Retention; Workforce Mobility