Research shows that consumers enjoy shopping and consuming with others but also that the enjoyment of companionship is diminished during consumption as compared to non-consumption activities. All else being equal, as commercial locations substitute for public spaces (parks, boulevards) as loci for social interaction in large cities, collective well-being should be expected to diminish. A better understanding of what drives enjoyment of companionship during consumption at retail locations, as well as the individual differences in responses to those drivers, may point to avenues to further collective well-being in urban areas. This research explores the role of fundamental social motives, specifically affiliation need, need for independence and fear of exclusion (Neel et al. 2016) in predicting the enjoyment of consumption experiences. As they drive social behavior, we expect social motives to predict enjoyment of consumption experiences.
This research aims to identify consumer segments in the United States with varying attitudes, beliefs, and preferences toward second-hand fashion, leveraging these insights for targeted nudging interventions. The study, using primary data collected via a Qualtrics survey, segments participants based on psychographic variables while considering social norms. The results can inform marketing strategies, policymaking, and fashion industry practices to promote sustainable consumption, enhance consumer economic well-being, and reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion. This research seeks to advance the economic well-being of consumers and families by promoting sustainable and mindful consumption practices.
The purpose of this study, which is part of a larger study, is to identify behavior change stages of consumer recycling behavior based on the transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM) and examine differences of psychological and cognitive factors between these change stages with national data in the U.S.. In this study we answer following research questions:_x000D_
What are the statuses of consumer recycling behavior by behavior change stages;_x000D_ What psychological and cognitive factors associated with consumer recycling behavior differ by behavior change stages?_x000D_
The results show that most consumers (76.5%) engaged in recycling behavior at various behavior change stages, while a minority of consumers (23.5%) are still not engaging in recycling behavior. Among them, 12.8% never consider recycling._x000D_ One-way ANOVA results show that consumer change processes that can be considered change strategies used by consumers in behavior change are different from earlier stages to later stages. Behavioral skill is positively associated with behavior change stages. In addition, perceived cons of recycling behavior are negatively and perceived pros are positively associated with behavior change stages. Results also suggest that both objective and subjective recycling knowledge may encourage consumer recycling behavior.
Presidential elections can be unsettling for individuals as they consider changes that may not reflect their social and fiscal values and confront the specter that they could live the next four years under misaligned policies. At the same time, the stock market and the economy have historically fared well regardless of the political party in control or whether the election resulted in a change in leadership. With the political atmosphere in the United States becoming increasingly charged, the opportunity for panic is elevated, most notably for individuals who lean heavier into their political identity. Financial mistakes made today due to heightened emotional states can have a lifelong deleterious impact. The present study explores whether changes in economic and market expectations after an election were driven by political conviction and whether partisanship manifested in different actions to one’s portfolio. We also contemplate the election’s partisanship effects on financial well-being and financial self-efficacy, both of which have been shown to impact decision-making. We conclude this paper with practical techniques to help individuals look beyond the current political environment and refocus on long-term planning.
This study investigates the equity and resilience impacts of Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan programs on socially disadvantaged farmers, focusing on disparities in loan terms such as obligated loan amounts and interest rates across diverse demographic groups. Using borrower data from 2004 to 2014, it evaluates lending patterns for primary loan types (Operating and Farm Ownership Loans) and ad hoc loan types (Disaster Assistance and Emergency Loans). By applying a Multivariate Multiple Linear Regression (MMLR) model, the research assesses the influence of financial performance indicators and demographic factors, including race, gender, and marital status, on loan conditions. The findings reveal significant differences in loan terms, with minority and female borrowers often experiencing lower loan amounts and higher interest rates compared to White and male borrowers. These disparities persist despite FSA’s mandate to ensure equitable access to credit for disadvantaged groups. The results indicate that while FSA programs have made strides in improving access, challenges remain in achieving full equity. Policy recommendations include enhancing credit scoring models to reduce bias and providing targeted support programs to improve financial resilience for minority farmers. This study contributes to understanding the effectiveness of FSA loans in promoting equity and resilience and suggests pathways for further policy reform.
Cancer survivors often experience significant financial challenges due to the high treatment costs, a problem known as financial toxicity. The link between financial distress and financial well-being has yet to be thoroughly studied. This research examines financial toxicity and financial well-being among cancer survivors and identifies the demographic and clinical factors influencing these outcomes. Financial distress was measured using the 11-item COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST), lower scores indicating greater financial toxicity. Financial well-being was assessed using the 5-item Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), lower scores indicating poorer financial well-being. Linear regression analyses were conducted to identify significant COST and CFPB score predictors. _x000D_ Females had lower CFPB scores than males (Difference: -6.5, 95% CI: [-11.7, -1.3], p
This study aims to examine the association between financial knowledge, the use of a financial planner, and the financial planning horizon. Additionally, we investigate the moderating role of financial planner usage on the relationship between financial knowledge and the financial planning horizon. For the empirical analysis, we used a pooled dataset from the 2016–2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), allowing for a comprehensive view across multiple time points. Our findings offer valuable insights for educators, practitioners, and policymakers by highlighting how financial knowledge and professional guidance can shape individuals’ long-term financial planning behaviors. This research contributes to the broader understanding of how personal financial management strategies and access to financial expertise can influence financial preparedness and planning horizons.
Retirement planning faces the challenge of varying life expectancy, influenced by factors beyond standard age and gender measures, such as income, health, and environment. Traditional reliance on generalized actuarial tables may lead to suboptimal financial outcomes for individuals. This study emphasizes the benefits of integrating personalized longevity projections to enhance retirement strategies, especially for optimizing Social Security benefits. A Cox proportional hazard model is estimated using data from the Health and Retirement Study to project personalized longevity. Then, this study found that tailoring the estimated optimal claiming age for benefits significantly increases the present value of lifetime benefits. Findings reveal that personalization can yield an average lifetime increase of over $12,000 for men and $9,000 for women. The evidence suggests that personalized longevity approaches can better align financial plans with individual life expectancy, enriching clients' understanding and retirement readiness.
With the rise of social media and a growing interest in how it is related to mental health, it is becoming increasingly important to consider the relationship between social media and financial mental health. As regulators consider policy for social media in order to mitigate its potential negative impacts on adolescent mental health, often the element of financial mental health is overlooked. This study looks to better address this gap in research by exploring the association between social media and financial anxiety. By using data from the National Financial Capability Study, this project will explore how social media and other factors are related to financial anxiety and make recommendations for future research and potential regulation.
This research aims to address the literature gaps by investigating the associations between social media usage and investor optimism, especially when considering the interaction between subjective and objective investment knowledge. Utilizing the 2021 National Financial Capability Study (NFCS) main dataset and its supplementary Investor Survey, this study specifically examines how the use of social media as an investment information source affects investors’ portfolio performance expectations. Particular attention is paid to comparing investors who anticipate above-market performance versus those expecting market-equivalent returns, with investment knowledge serving as a potential mediating factor.
