Unraveling Youth Indebtedness in China: A Case Study Based on the “Debtors Avengers” Community on Douban

Junan Zhang and Dong Liu ()
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Junan Zhang: Social Work Department, College of Humanities and Law, Shanghai Business School, Shanghai 201400, China
Dong Liu: Social Work Department, College of Humanities and Law, Shanghai Business School, Shanghai 201400, China

IJFS, 2024, vol. 12, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Over-indebtedness is an increasingly serious issue among young people in China. Using Atlas.ti, this study analyzes textual data from the online community “Debtors Avengers” on Douban.com, applying a combined framework of life cycle and credit liberalization hypotheses. The findings reveal that youth indebtedness is not solely driven by irrational consumer behavior but is closely linked to economic activities during specific life stages. Structurally, it reflects sociofinancial digitization and normalized credit use. Factors such as life circumstances, financial literacy, labor market instability, and public safety risks contribute to a “debt spiral”. Addressing these challenges requires the refinement of financial policies, enhanced education, and intervention in financial aggression.

Keywords: youth financial vulnerability; over-indebtedness; financialization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F2 F3 F41 F42 G1 G2 G3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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