Economic / Material / Financial Hardship
Measures of economic, material, or financial hardship capture the difficulties—general or domain specific (e.g., food, housing)—in meeting financial obligations with current financial resources.
Measure
Source: Starrin B, Åslund C, Nilsson KW. Financial stress, shaming experiences and psychosocial ill-health: Studies into the Finances-Shame Model. Social Indicators Research. 2008;91(2):283-298.
Psychometric properties: Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75
If you suddenly ended up in an unforeseen situation where you have to raise $2,000, would you be able to?
- Yes
- No
Measure
Source: Shek DTL. Economic stress, emotional quality of life, and problem behavior in Chinese adolescents with and without economic disadvantage. Social Indicators Research. 2005;71:363-383.
Psychometric properties:
Cronbach’s alpha = 0.63 (Fathers)
Cronbach’s alpha = 0.57 (Mothers)
Cronbach’s alpha = 0.71 (Adolescents)
In the past six months, has your family had inadequate money to cope with the family expenses?
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Always
In the past six months, has your family delayed the payment of bills because of financial difficulty?
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Always
What has been the economic condition of your family in the past six months?
- No financial difficulty
- Some financial difficulty
- Considerable financial difficulty
- Much difficulty
How do you feel about the financial situation of your family?
- Has improved
- No change
- Has deteriorated
Measure
Source: Weckström S. Self-assessed consequences of unemployment on individual wellbeing and family relationships: A study of unemployed women and men in Finland. International Journal of Social Welfare. 2011;21(4):372-383.
Psychometric properties: Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84
Have you or your family had difficulties in paying running costs, such as food and rent, during the past year?
- Yes
- No
Which of the following five statements describes your financial situation during the past year?
- I have been able to purchase everything I want and need without difficulties.
- I have been able to purchase almost all I want and need.
- I have been forced to give up some non-essential needs.
- I have even been forced to give up some essential needs.
- I have been forced to give up everything.
How easy or difficult is it to maintain the subsistence of your family these days?
- Very difficult
- Difficult
- Neutral
- Easy
- Very easy
Measure
Source: Giannetti C, Madia M, Moretti L. Job insecurity and financial distress. Applied Financial Economics. 2014;24(4):219-233.
Psychometric properties: Cronbach’s alpha = Not reported.
Is your household’s income sufficient to see you through to the end of the month?
- With great difficulty
- With difficulty
- With some difficulty
- Fairly easily
- Easily
- Very easily