Abstract
Using a sample of 222 young adults attending college, the present study examined the relative contribution of young adults’
perceived economic pressures, financial coping and religious meaning-making coping strategies in accounting for variation
in their reports of psychological well-being within the context of the United States economic crisis. Results suggest a direct
relationship between perceived economic pressure and psychological well-being such that young adults who reported having to
make more economic adjustments as a result of economic crisis also reported higher levels of depressed mood and anxiety. Young
men and women who reported having to make fewer economic adjustments and being able to meet their material needs reported
higher levels of life satisfaction. Regardless of young adults’ self-reported level of economic pressures, the use of education
and communication financial coping strategies was related to lower levels of self-reported anxiety and depressed mood and
greater life satisfaction. Viewing the financial crisis as a punishment from God was generally associated with young adults’
reports of greater depressed mood and less life satisfaction. Implication of findings for research and practice are discussed.
perceived economic pressures, financial coping and religious meaning-making coping strategies in accounting for variation
in their reports of psychological well-being within the context of the United States economic crisis. Results suggest a direct
relationship between perceived economic pressure and psychological well-being such that young adults who reported having to
make more economic adjustments as a result of economic crisis also reported higher levels of depressed mood and anxiety. Young
men and women who reported having to make fewer economic adjustments and being able to meet their material needs reported
higher levels of life satisfaction. Regardless of young adults’ self-reported level of economic pressures, the use of education
and communication financial coping strategies was related to lower levels of self-reported anxiety and depressed mood and
greater life satisfaction. Viewing the financial crisis as a punishment from God was generally associated with young adults’
reports of greater depressed mood and less life satisfaction. Implication of findings for research and practice are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10834-012-9328-x
- Authors
- Catherine H. Stein, Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
- Erica Hoffmann, Department of Psychology, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Erin E. Bonar, Addiction Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Jaclyn E. Leith, Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
- Kristen M. Abraham, VA Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Center for Clinical Management Research, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 14, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Alexis C. Hamill, Department of Psychology, San Francisco VA Medical Center, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Shane W. Kraus, Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
- Shinakee Gumber, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 5 East 98th Street, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Wendy R. Fogo, Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
- Journal Journal of Family and Economic Issues
- Online ISSN 1573-3475
- Print ISSN 1058-0476