College-Age Adults At Risk For Money Abuse
Myvesta survey finds men and women show high levels, but in different behaviors
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2002
ROCKVILLE, Md. — College-age adults show more signs of money abuse than any other age group, according to survey data released by Myvesta, a financial crisis and treatment center. Adults, age 18 to 24, score higher than any other age group in five of nine negative money behaviors that Myvesta uses to determine the level of a person's money abuse.
In addition, the survey shows that men and women across all age groups have similarly high levels of money abuse, but through different behaviors. Women are more likely to shop to relieve stress, while men are more likely to make purchases to impress others.
The findings are from a demographic analysis of Myvesta's March 2002 Money Abuse Survey, which found that 25.5 percent, or 53 million, of all Americans are potential money abusers. Myvesta used an independent research firm to conduct the survey of 1,000 random, U.S. adults from Feb. 1 through 13, 2002.
According to the survey, almost two-thirds of adults, age 18 to 24, say shopping gives them a mood change. Nearly one quarter use shopping to escape problems and relieve stress.
"College-age adults respond higher than any other age group to the money behaviors," said Myvesta President Steve Rhode. "Negative money behaviors are warning signs of underlying issues. Young adults need to take personal responsibility for their financial lives or they'll be set up for a lifetime of money abuse."
The most common solution recommended for college student debt has been clamping down on credit. "That's like closing pizza parlors near campus because some students are overweight," Rhode said. "Banning credit cards on college campuses or limiting access to credit in other ways will not curb debt because access isn't the issue driving debt for this age group. Debt is the result of unconscious money abuse, not too much access." Myvesta's 2001 Credit Card Debt Survey study found that the average 18- to 24-year-old has one credit card with a balance of $959. Two-thirds of people in that age group have no credit card debt.
The nine money behaviors Myvesta uses to identify money abuse, with the percentage of young adults who agree with the statements, are:
How 18 to 24 year-olds Ranked Against Other Age Groups in Negative Money Behaviors | ||
Negative Money Behaviors |
Percent of college-age adults who agreed with this statement |
Rank: How this age group scored in relation to other age groups |
Experiencing a mood change (high or low) just before or after a shopping event |
64.8% |
1st |
Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back or stop excessive money use |
50.8% |
4th |
Spending money as a way to escape problems or relieve stress |
24.5% |
1st |
Feeling alone and spending money to feel better or improve self-esteem |
18.6% |
2nd |
Lying, minimizing or rationalizing to conceal spending |
18.5% |
1st |
Preoccupied with buying things to impress or influence others |
15.7% |
1st |
Losing out on opportunities such as a significant relationship, job promotion, or educational or career opportunities because of money consumption |
10.1% |
1st |
Carrying excessive debt as the result of the inability to stop spending money |
7.5% |
2nd |
Spending money on or with others in order to maintain relationships |
6.7% |
4th |
The Money Abuse Survey found that men and women have similarly high levels of money abuse. Both genders (women 54.3 percent; men 49.1 percent) report that they have repeatedly tried to control excessive money use. Both genders (women 43.2 percent; men 37.3 percent) report experiencing a high or low mood change from shopping.
"People assume that money abuse is a problem for women, but men have negative money behaviors, too," Rhode said. Nine percent of men say they are preoccupied with buying things to impress others, while only 4.5 percent of women agree with that statement. One in ten men admit to lying, minimizing or rationalizing to conceal their spending, and 14.5 percent of men spend money as a way to escape problems.
"Money abuse can be trouble for any one, at any age," Rhode said. "It is important to recognize the signs of trouble before the problems get worse and cause bankruptcy or financial ruin." According to Myvesta, people who agree with two or more of the money behavior statements are likely to be a money abuser. The Money Abuse Survey found that 25.5 percent, or 53 million, of all American adults agree with two or more of the statements.
"Many people assume that it's normal to be unable to control their money," Rhode added. "It's not. Money abuse is the inability to control excessive debt or spending. It is a recurrent, often unconscious, use of money to overcome underlying issues."
Click below for the full results of the Money Abuse Survey - Parts One and Two.
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MyvestaSM is dedicated to helping people create healthy financial lives. The organization provides a wide range of materials to inspire and inform people so that they can break down their barriers to financial and personal success. For more information visit Myvesta.org online.
