ABSTRACT

Consumer credit score has been used as an indicator of financial strain that could potentially impact health. Subjective financial well-being, or one’s feelings about one’s expectations, preferences, and satisfaction with their financial situation, is related to financial strain. This study examined whether subjective financial well-being mediates the association between credit score and self-reported physical health in a national representative sample. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we test whether a mediating association exists between self-rated credit score and self-rated physical health. Results suggest that, after controlling for sociodemographic variables, those who reported higher credit scores have better health (β = 0.175, p < .001) and higher financial well-being (β = 0.469, p < .001), and those who reported higher financial well-being have better health (β = 0.265, p < .001). The mediation effect of financial well-being on the association between credit and physical health is also positive and statistically significant (β = 0.299, p < .001). Thus, subjective feelings about one’s financial situation would enhance the observed positive association between credit and health. Practice and policy implications are included.

摘要

消费者信用评分已被用作可能影响健康的财务压力指标。主观财务幸福感，或一个人对其财务状况的期望、偏好和满意度的感受，与财务压力有关。本研究检验了在全国代表性样本中主观财务状况是否调节信用评分与自我报告的身体健康之间的关联。使用结构方程模型 (SEM)，我们测试自评信用评分和自评身体健康之间是否存在中介关联。结果表明，在控制社会人口变量后，那些报告较高信用评分的人拥有更好的健康状况 (β = 0.175，p  < .001) 和更高的财务状况 (β = 0.469，p < .001)p  < .001)，那些财务状况较好的人健康状况较好 (β = 0.265, p  < .001)。财务状况对信用与身体健康之间关系的中介作用也是正向的且具有统计学意义 (β = 0.299, p  < .001)。因此，对个人财务状况的主观感受会增强信用与健康之间观察到的正相关性。包括实践和政策影响。