Date of Award
2023
Publication Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Psychology
Keywords
Financial well-being, Health behaviour, Social participation
Supervisor
K.Cramer
Supervisor
R.P.Datta
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
There are a wealth of studies connecting personal finances to a range of well-being outcomes. However, little research has examined the relations between financial well-being and health behaviours or social participation. The present study probes these associations asking: (a) is students’ financial well-being linked to both health behaviours and social participation? (b) do students’ health behaviours and social participation mediate the relation between financial wellbeing and overall well-being? and (c) what are students’ perceptions concerning their finances and their futures? The thesis first sketches the social, political, and economic context within which the study is framed. Next, a review of the academic literature summarizes the current scientific understanding of personal finances and financial well-being, concerning their connections to overall wellbeing, health behaviours, and social participation. Students between the ages of 18 and 25 were recruited through the University of Windsor Participant Pool (n = 298). Financial well-being was found to be associated with both health behaviours and social participation, and these variables were also found to mediate the relation between financial well-being and overall well-being. The results of the exploratory research questions reinforce that finances are a significant worriment for students regarding their future. Students’ perceptions of their finances, career prospects, and outlook for the future are presented herein. The findings of this study suggest that more research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which financial wellbeing influences overall health and well-being.
Recommended Citation
Ripley-McNeil, Evan, "Student Financial Well-Being, Health Behaviours, and Social Participation: A Mixed Methods Study" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 9026.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/9026