Psycho-social factors impacting credit acquisition and use by college students

This research develops and tests two models using a range of psychological and sociological antecedents of credit card acquisition, spending practices and debt accumulation by college students. Six psycho-social dimensions were investigated: parental involvement, locus of control, compulsivity, impulsivity, debt anxiety and social status. Multivariate regression analysis using two dependent variables was conducted: the number of credit cards and total credit card debt. Although the multivariate model was highly significant, considerable variation emerged that best explained the number of credit cards students owned and the total credit card debt carried. The results offer insights in future research needs and consumer protection issues.