Construction and validation of a perceived financial well-being scale (PFWBS)

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the study is to build and validate a perceived financial well-being scale (PFWBS).Design/methodology/approachA total of 34 items were developed on a five-point Likert scale. Validation involved two phases and four steps. In the qualitative phase, interviews, validation by specialists and the pre-test were carried out. In the quantitative phase, a sample of 1,020 cases was used in the exploratory stage and another sample of 2,293 individuals in the confirmatory validation stage.FindingsThe PFWBS is composed of 23 items distributed in four dimensions (financial security, financial tranquility, financial freedom and satisfaction with financial management) that identify the perception of financial well-being of the consumers of financial products.Practical implicationsThe authors propose a methodological framework that allows researchers, managers and policy makers to use the indicator to assess citizens' perception of financial well-being.Social implicationsThe PFWBS can be useful in evaluating the results of different public policies, such as income transfer programs and financial education policies. It can also serve as a parameter for the financial system to assess the perception of its customers, helping to evaluate products and services.Originality/valueFinancial well-being lacks valid measurement scales in the literature. This study advances by creating a scale for the assessment of the perception of financial well-being, which can be applied in different contexts.

Financial Well-Being Scale: Evidence of Validity and Reliability in Peruvian Context

“…Knowing the importance of financial well-being, there are investigations that try to measure it through a questionnaire; in this way, certain measures have been identified in the scientific literature, such as the Perceived Financial Well-being Scale (PFWBS) proposed by Viera et al, (2023) made up of 34 items and 04 dimensions, which are: financial security, financial tranquility, financial freedom and satisfaction with financial management ; from another instance, Nguyen (2021) applied the financial well-being scale made up of 04 items in his study. In addition, (Losada-Otálora et al, 2023)established the SGWB scale that aims to measure financial well-being through 04 dimensions: control over finances, ability to absorb financial shocks, ability to follow financial goals, and freedom financial.…”