Financial Help-Seeking Behavior: Theory And Implications

Written By: John E. Grable and So-hyun Joo

This paper presents a framework for explaining personal finance help-seeking behavior. The decision to seek help was tested using a randomly selected sample of clerical workers. Results from a discriminant analysis confirmed that the framework offers a practical insight into personal finance help-seeking behavior. Younger persons who did not own their own home and those who experienced more financial stressors and exhibited more poor financial behaviors tended to be more likely to seek help. Findings from this research support general conclusions presented throughout the help-seeking literature. Key Words: Help-seeking, Personal financial behavior, Stress, Financial counseling, Attitudes, Financial problems