Attitudes towards credit and finances among college students in China and the United States

Abstract

Although there is growing concern about the issue of credit card debt among college students in China, little research has examined attitudes to money and debt among that group. The present study compared financial self-confidence, perceived financial wellbeing, attitudes to debt, and parent education about money and debt in 410 college students from the US and China. Although college students in China reported fewer credit cards and less debt, they also reported lower levels of financial self-confidence and financial wellbeing. In both cultures, delay of gratification and parental education predicted both self-confidence and financial wellbeing.