This research examines the role of financial resilience in supporting well-being, particularly during and after adverse life events. Financial resilience is defined as a composite of four dimensions: economic resources, financial access and inclusion, financial knowledge and behavior, and social capital (Salignac et al., 2019). Our study utilizes data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, covering the period from 2014 to 2020. To explore how financial resilience impacts well-being, we employ fixed effects panel regression, focusing on indicators such as life satisfaction, financial satisfaction, and mental health. Additionally, we apply a difference-in-difference event study design to examine the "bounce back" effect, assessing how financial resilience influences recovery from adverse life events. The findings contribute to our understanding of how financial resilience acts as a buffer against declines in well-being following financial and personal shocks, helping individuals recover more quickly. These results highlight the crucial role of financial resilience in safeguarding both financial stability as well as mental health and well-being.
