Exploring the interplay of materialism, financial socialization, financial capability, and credit card debt
Authors: Li Zongze , Chatterjee Swarn , Moorman Diann 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThis study aims to utilize the theory of planned behavior, integrating materialism, financial socialization, and perceived financial capability, to explore the psychological determinants influencing credit card repayment behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThe data for this research was sourced from the 2016 National Financial Well-Being Survey. Employing Structural Equation Modeling, this study investigated whether materialism, financial socialization, and perceived financial capability influenced credit card repayment behaviors through their impact on financial intention.FindingsThe analysis suggests significant associations between materialism, financial socialization, and perceived financial capability with credit card repayment behaviors. Furthermore, the results highlight the substantial mediating role of financial intention in shaping the relationship between materialism, financial socialization, perceived financial capability, and credit card repayment behaviors.Research limitations/implicationsEmploying Structural Equation Modeling, the study investigated whether materialism, financial socialization, and perceived financial capability indirectly influenced credit card repayment behaviors through their impact on financial intention.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study underscore the importance of considering credit card utilization and leverage used by average consumers. Supporting community-based financial education programs might be useful for reaching individuals and families at the grassroots level and educating participants about the deleterious effects of maintaining high credit card balances and the perils of pursuing their materialistic desires by leveraging these purchases through the utilization of credit cards. Credit card companies can use these findings to inform their marketing strategies and design credit products that cater to the needs of different segments of customers. From a policy standpoint, it is extremely important to develop programs that protect those individuals who are most vulnerable and need the most help with managing their money.Social implicationsPolicy makers can also use these findings to develop regulations and consumer protection measures to promote responsible credit card use. For instance, they can introduce laws that require credit card companies to disclose the full cost of credit, including interest rates, fees, and charges, in a clear and transparent manner. They can also promote financial education programs to help individuals with high levels of materialism manage their credit card usage and debt.Originality/valueThe paper integrates two well-established theoretical frameworks, the theory of planned behavior and materialism, to provide a comprehensive understanding of consumer credit card usage. This integration allows for a more nuanced analysis of the factors influencing credit card behavior. By utilizing data from the 2016 National Financial Well-Being Survey and employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the paper conducts a robust empirical investigation. This adds credibility to the findings and allows for the testing of hypotheses derived from the theoretical frameworks. The findings of the paper have practical implications for policymakers, financial institutions, and consumer advocates.