Sex, money and financial hardship: An empirical study of attitudes towards money among undergraduates in Singapore

Abstract

This study examines the effects of gender and previous experience with financial hardship on people's attitudes toward money in Singapore. The respondents consisted of 152 undergraduate students who attended management classes at a local university. Factor analysis of items measuring attitudes toward money revealed eight distinct dimensions. Logistic regression analysis was performed to distinguish between males and females, as well as between the 'hardship' and the 'no hardship' group. The results showed some gender differences, with males often using money as a means of evaluation compared to females. In addition, the 'hardship' group was more likely to use money as a form of evaluation, to have financial anxiety, and to be more generous to the less fortunate compared to the 'no hardship' group.