Financial attitude and financial distress are influenced by socialisation mediums arising from both internal and external forces. These influences are structured by internal family dynamics and external interaction environments, including peer relationships in the academic and social settings. Social interactions play a significant role in shaping financial attitudes and influencing financial well-being. When evaluating peer socialisation structures, it becomes evident that family financial socialisation exerts a predominant influence, contributing more significantly to improved financial well-being. This study aims to develop a framework for identifying financial attitudes and financial distress by comparing the socialisation influences of family and peers within a cohort of tertiary education students. A sample of 384 randomly selected respondents was used to analyse the behavioural responses of tertiary students, ensuring broad representation within the youth demographic. The research explores the relationships between familial socialisation and peer socialisation, examining their influence on financial attitudes and financial distress, using the lens of Social Learning Theory. Empirical findings indicate that family socialisation has a more significant impact on financial attitudes than peer socialisation. Family socialisation mitigates financial hardship or distress, while peer socialisation contributes positively to financial distress. Overall, family socialisation mediums significantly influence the development of healthy financial attitudes and help reduce financial distress among university students.