RESUMO
Abstract This study aims to present evidence for the validity of the Over-indebtedness Protection and Risk Scale (OPRIS). The instrument was constructed to assess attitudinal aspects (behavioral, cognitive, and affective) that prevent or encourage over-indebtedness, considered a serious social problem. Four hundred and forty-four adults participated in the online version. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed the presence of two factors: protection against over-indebtedness (13 items) and risk of over-indebtedness (21 items), with good levels of adjustment. Criterion validity showed that both factors differentiated groups in terms of self-perceived stress, financial concern, presence/absence of debt, and consumption profile. OPRIS is considered to have the potential to help formulate public policies aimed at addressing the phenomenon of over-indebtedness.
Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar as evidências de validade da Escala de Proteção e Risco de Superendividamento (EPRIS). O instrumento foi construído para avaliar aspectos atitudinais (comportamentais, cognitivos e afetivos) que previnem ou estimulam o superendividamento, considerado um grave problema social. Participaram 444 adultos na modalidade online. A análise Fatorial Exploratória revelou a presença de dois fatores: proteção ao superendividamento (13 itens) e risco de superendividamento (21 itens), com bons níveis de ajuste. A validade de critério mostrou que ambos os fatores diferenciaram grupos quanto ao estresse autopercebido, preocupação financeira, presença/ausência de dívidas e perfil de consumo. Considera-se que a EPRIS tem o potencial de contribuir na formulação de políticas públicas voltadas à abordagem do fenômeno do superendividamento.
RESUMO
In the last few decades, there was a marked increase in consumer debt in the United States, Latin America and other emerging countries, spurring a debate about the real costs and benefits of household credit. Using a unique longitudinal dataset with detailed health and balance sheet information from a large sample of 10,900 Chilean households we study the relationship between debt trajectories in a three-year time window and mental health. We find that depressive symptoms are higher for those who have been persistently over-indebted, followed by those who transit from moderate to high debt levels. We also find that those who transition from over-indebtedness to moderate debt levels have no additional depressive symptoms compared to those with trajectories of moderate debt throughout (never over-indebted). This suggests that the debt-related contribution to depressive symptoms vanishes as debt levels fall. The association between debt and depressive symptoms seems to be driven by non-mortgage debt -primarily consumer credit- or late mortgage payments; secured debt (secured by collateral) per se is not associated with depressive symptoms. Policy interventions to reduce the negative association of over-indebtedness on mental health are discussed.