The Psychological Inventory of Financial Scarcity (PIFS): A psychometric evaluation

Wilco W. van Dijk, Minou M.B. van der Werf and Lotte F. van Dillen

Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), 2022, vol. 101, issue C

Abstract: In nine studies (total N = 12,249), we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Psychological Inventory of Financial Scarcity (PIFS). The PIFS assesses experienced financial scarcity and captures four aspects of this subjective experience: an appraisal of insufficient financial resources, an appraisal of lack of control over one's financial situation, financial rumination and worry, and a short-term focus. Results showed that the PIFS has a good internal consistency (Studies 1-5) and a good test-retest reliability (Study 6). Factor analyses indicated that, as intended, the PIFS can be used both as a one-factor scale and a four-factor scale (Studies 1-5). The predictive and concurrent validity of the PIFS was supported by expected relations with executive functioning (Studies 7-8). Furthermore, results showed that scores on the PIFS explain variance in psychological well-being (mental health, self-esteem, and life satisfaction) over and above personality traits and demographic variables (including income) and mediate the relationship between financial problems and psychological well-being (Study 9). Together, our evaluation indicates that the PIFS is a reliable and valid measure of experienced financial scarcity, and a helpful instrument to study the impact of financial hardship on people's lives.

Keywords: Financial scarcity; Financial stress; Financial anxiety; Psychological well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:soceco:v:101:y:2022:i:c:s2214804322001100

DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2022.101939

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