The ant and the grasshopper revisited: The present psychological benefits of saving and future oriented financial behaviors

This study examines the impact of saving and future-oriented financial behaviors on young adults’ well-being. Using two-timed longitudinal data (N = 748) collected both prior to and during the economic crisis, we tested and confirmed a psychological process model (i.e., financial attitude → behavioral intention → actual behavior → well-being), one that included parental norms, perceived behavioral control and financial planning horizon as antecedent factors. Our findings indicate that the more positive a young adult’s attitude toward financial behaviors, and the greater his/her perception of parental expectations, then the stronger will be this young adult’s intention to perform such behaviors. We found that behavioral intention at Time 1 contributed to actual financial behaviors at Time 2, which in turn was positively related to a young adult’s present sense of well-being. We also found that perceived behavioral control and financial planning horizon influenced both behavioral intention and actual behavior. Although perceived impact of the economic crisis moderated the link between past and present well-being, it did not affect the hierarchical flow of the model. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our study pertaining to consumer financial education.     

Zero-base budgeting—Dealing with conflicting objectives

While Zero-Base Budgeting (ZBB) has received considerable attention in the public sector, virtually all the studies dealing with the system have neglected or given cursory attention to the problem of multiple conflicting objectives. This paper presents a goal programming approach as a systematic means to develop the ZBB process for multiple objectives. This approach allows the administrators to more realistically portray the decision environment as well as their judgment in their budgetary planning models, thus making the budgeting an effective and pragmatic way to implement the planning and decision making process. This study demonstrates a goal programming based ZBB system in the public sector based on real-world data.     

Korean Older Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in North America: Cultural Considerations and Practice Recommendations

While literature on elder abuse has expanded, elder abuse by intimate partners has been less investigated. Even less is known about intimate partner violence among older Koreans living in North America. This article identifies important cultural considerations for individuals helping the Korean older adult community, beginning with the definition of intimate partner violence in this community and barriers to leaving that include traditional views of the East Asian self. Current practice interventions are discussed and recommendations for future practice such as healing han, the accumulated suffering from years of abuse, are suggested. The ultimate goal of this paper is to expand awareness in order to develop the best culturally competent prevention and intervention practice for Korean older intimate partner violence survivors in North America.     

Employment status,material hardship,and mental health among low-income working-age adults in South Korea

The current study examines the associations between employment status and mental health and the mediating role of material hardship among low-income households in South Korea. This study uses regression models with a rich set of control variables and lagged dependent variable models with a nationally representative sample of 1113 low-income working-age household heads from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS). We find that the nonstandard employment and unemployment statuses are associated with a higher level of depression and a lower level of self-esteem, when compared to a standard employment status. These negative associations are partially mediated by an increased material hardship risk. Policy implications to improve employment conditions and mitigate material hardship are discussed.