Impact of a Financial Success Education Program in Women and Children

Impact of a Financial Success Education Program on Perceived Financial Well-being, Hopefulness, Financial Competency, Financial Goal Achievement, Quality of Life, and Quantitative Health Outcomes in Women and Children: A Pilot Study

Many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. This may lead to financial stress and an increase in overall stress. People under stress are more likely to smoke, consume alcohol, eat a poor diet, and experience depression or anxiety. Experiencing financial stress may also increase the risk for heart disease. The purpose of this research study is to test whether participating in the Financial Success Program improves health outcomes, in both the women participating and their children.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women 19 years or older enrolled in the Financial Success Program in fall 2011 and winter 2012 and/or a their child(ren) ages 3-18 years attending the daycare with their mother
• Women must be employed to be enrolled in the Financial Success Program
• Able and willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women less than 19 years of age
• Women working a night time shift (due to variability in diurnal cortisol secretion)
• Known pregnancy or planned pregnancy (due to variability in blood pressure, glucose, weight, and lipids)
• Women are excluded from the Financial Success Program if they are living in a domestic violence situation or abusing alcohol or illicit drugs