Validation of Scales to Research the Personal Financial Management

Abstract

Purpose

– The paper describes the test of preexistent scales to measure behaviors of personal financial management, buying impulsiveness and financial strain

Design/methodology/approach

– From the back translation of scales published in English, empirical research was carried out to certify the reliability and validity of these instruments. A survey through the internet was performed with 195 respondents (postgraduate students and teachers from five Brazilian states, related to business administration courses). Data were analyzed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, in addition to structural equation modeling, using the statistical software IBM SPSS and AMOS.

Findings

– The scales are reliable and showed construct validity. In the examination of scales’ nomological validity, there is a negative association between buying impulsineness and financial management. Financial manegement this construct has a negative effect on financial strain, and partially mediates the positive relationship between impulsiveness and financial strain.

Originality/value

– Results motivate the use of a scales of the behavior of personal financial management in order to evaluate this trait of personal competence, supporting programs of financial education and the marketing planning of credit institutions.

Keywords
Personal Financial Management; Financial Strain; Buying Impulsiveness; Scales’ Validation