An overview of consumer credit and an analysis of factors causing unmanageable debt in twenty five - thirty four year old consumers.

There have been few empirical studies which examine the problems of consumer credit debtors or the environment in which that debt occurred. This thesis provides an empirical analysis of factors causing unmanageable debt in a cohort of 25 to 34 year old consumers in the UK during 1988 - 1990. The data for the indebted consumer cohort were obtained through 42 interviews of individuals who had experienced debt and sought professional help to resolve their financial affairs. Data for a reference group were obtained from a further 45 interviews. A hypothetical model, describing an individual's likely progression into unmanageable debt, was then developed. Upon analysis of the data it became apparent that these individuals had become slowly entrenched in debt and were not necessarily propelled into debt as a result of an unexpected crisis contrary to the findings of previous research. Analysis of the psychological data obtained, using the Mann-Whitney statistical technique, revealed identifiable differences in the economic locus of control, attitudes to saving and money use between the two groups of interviewees. Additionally, differences in attitudes to consumer credit use are identified.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Robert Gordon University

Year dc:date.issued

1992

Author dc:creator

• Lloyd-Williams, Jean

• Consumer credit
• Unmanageable debt
• 25-34 age demographic
• Professional financial support
• Consumer psychology
• Mann-Whitney technique

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:2807459
https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2807459

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:2807459