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College Students and Credit Card Use: The Role of Parents, Work Experience, Financial Knowledge, and Credit Card Attitudes

Abstract

This study examined the influence of parental interactions, years of work experience, financial knowledge, credit card attitudes, and personal characteristics on college students’ credit card behaviors (i.e., number of cards and amount of debt). Based on data collected across seven universities (N = 413), we found that students who had parents who argued about finances, were juniors/seniors, and were comfortable making minimum payments were the most likely to have $500 or more in credit card debt and two or more credit cards. In addition, number of credit cards held was the only dependent variable influenced by gender and fear of credit cards. These results highlight the importance of early interventions in the life of college students including involving parents as positive role models.

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Correspondence to Adam M. Hancock.

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Hancock, A.M., Jorgensen, B.L. & Swanson, M.S. College Students and Credit Card Use: The Role of Parents, Work Experience, Financial Knowledge, and Credit Card Attitudes. J Fam Econ Iss 34, 369–381 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9338-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9338-8

Keywords

  • Credit card debt
  • Parent–child interactions
  • Work experience
  • College students
  • Financial attitudes