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The effect of credit counseling, debt management on financial management behavior of Americans is analyzed. The analysis shows, consumers who took services of debt management and credit counseling agencies have benefited and experienced fewer stressful events than those who never attended the programs.

Aim: There is limited evidence of the safety and impact of task-shared care for people with severe mental illnesses (SMI; psychotic disorders and bipolar disorder) in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and impact of a district-level plan for task-shared mental health care on 6 and 12-month clinical and social outcomes of people with SMI in rural southern Ethiopia. Methods: In the Programme for Improving Mental health carE, we conducted an intervention cohort study. Trained primary healthcare (PHC) workers assessed community referrals, diagnosed SMI and initiated treatment, with independent research diagnostic assessments by psychiatric nurses. Primary outcomes were symptom severity and disability. Secondary outcomes included discrimination and restraint. Results: Almost all (94.5%) PHC worker diagnoses of SMI were verified by psychiatric nurses. All prescribing was within recommended dose limits. A total of 245 (81.7%) people with SMI were re-assessed at 12 months. Minimally adequate treatment was received by 29.8%. All clinical and social outcomes improved significantly. The impact on disability (standardised mean difference 0.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35–0.65) was greater than impact on symptom severity (standardised mean difference 0.28; 95% CI 0.13–0.44). Being restrained in the previous 12 months reduced from 25.3 to 10.6%, and discrimination scores reduced significantly. Conclusions: An integrated district level mental health care plan employing task-sharing safely addressed the large treatment gap for people with SMI in a rural, low-income country setting. Randomised controlled trials of differing models of task-shared care for people with SMI are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advantages and disadvantages of simulations in consumer education are summarized and guidelines presented to teachers on developing their own games. Four specific game topics are suggested. (SJL)

On questions related to the role of consumers in society, prospective teachers scored only 64 percent correct. Those majoring in science scored highest. Males scored significantly higher than females. Having taken college consumer education courses had little effect on scores. (Author)

The Test of Consumer Competencies was given to 4,300 prospective teachers. The low level of achievement in certain content areas among business education majors suggests areas in which preservice preparation for teaching consumer education could be improved. (SK)

Discusses a survey to determine cognitive consumer education knowledge among prospective secondary social studies teachers. Findings indicated that prospective teachers did not generally possess a high level of cognitive understanding and that teachers who had completed a consumer education course scored higher than those who had not. Journal availability: see SO 507 310. (DB)

This article describes development of the InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale, designed to measure a latent construct representing responses to one's financial state on a continuum ranging from overwhelming financial distress/lowest level of financial well-being to no financial distress/highest level of financial well-being. It describes a formative Delphi study, validity criteria and testing, factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficients, administration instructions, norming of the data and score interpretation, and implications for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive financial behaviours of consumers are examined using a national sample of consumers who use credit counselling services in the US from a behavioural economic perspective. The findings indicate that consumers in credit counselling may follow a hierarchical pattern in their financial behaviours, paying off debts and adjusting spending before considering saving. Consumers who are older, have a part-time job (vs. the unemployed), and report a more secure retirement, a better family relationship, and a higher score of self-evaluation of financial behaviours are likely to report more positive financial behaviours. Reporting more financial behaviours and a higher score of self-evaluation of financial behaviours, along with several demographic and perception variables, tend to reduce financial stress and increase financial satisfaction among consumers who use credit counselling services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the effects of credit counseling and debt management on financial management behaviors and financially stressful events. The study hypothesized that after 18 months in the debt management program (DMP) of a credit counseling agency, a sample of active clients would report better financial management behaviors and fewer financially stressful events than a similarly situated group that did not remain with the program. The data used for the study came from a nonprofit credit counseling agency that provides telephone counseling services.

The current study provides a description of the development to date of the Beta Version of the InCharge Institute Financial Distress Scale (FDS). The paper summarizes the use of measurement items in previous research. The results reported are from one of several data sets utilized in the development of a valid and reliable Beta Version of the FDS. A discussion supporting the uses for the Beta Version of the FDS follows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employees' personal lives affect their attitudes and behaviors at workplace. Financially stressed employees often bring their concerns to the workplace. This study focuses on the relationships between financial stress and work outcomes such as pay satisfaction, work time use, and absenteeism. The data in this research were collected from an insurance company in three mid-western states. A total of 262 questionnaires were used in the data analysis. Significant relationships were found between financial stress and work outcomes including pay satisfaction, work time use and absenteeism. People who had higher levels of financial stress had lower levels of pay satisfaction, were more likely to waste their work time, and more frequently absent from work. Employers might reduce absenteeism and productivity if they can help employees reduce their financial stress by offering effective workplace financial education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined how financial well-being was associated with health and determined if credit counseling was related to the variables of financial well being and health. Data (n=175) were collected from clients of a large credit counseling organization on two occasions, once in June 2000 and again in January 2002. People who received credit counseling and remained in a debt management plan were compared with those who did not within the period of 18 months. The results indicate that financial well-being was associated with health. Additionally, financial well- being was a partial function of financial behavior and financial stressor events. Results also indicate that credit counseling had impacts in changing financial behaviors in a positive way and reducing financial stressor events, controlling for individual characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compares the buyers and nonbuyers of extended service contracts. Utilization of the Chi Square analysis in distinguishing buyers and non-buyers; Similarity of demographic and psychographic findings; Differences in purchasing motivation.

Presents a study which examined defined contribution retirement plans. How the retirement plans are regulated by the United States Department of Labor; Overview of the employer's model workplace financial education program; Why employees are not saving for retirement.

The potential for Ni toxicity in seawater is of concern because of mining and processing activities in coastal regions. Determining Ni speciation is vital to understanding and predicting Ni toxicity and for bioavailability-based nickel risk assessment. The goal of this study was to characterize the complexation of Ni in relation to toxicity using embryological development of purple sea urchin (S. purpuratus). It was predicted that free ion [Ni2+] would be a better predictor of toxicity than total dissolved Ni concentrations (NiD). Synthetic ligands with known logK f values (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), tryptophan (TRP), glutamic acid (GA), histidine (HD), and citric acid (CA)) were used to test the assumptions of the biotic ligand model (BLM) for Ni in seawater. [Ni D ] was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) and Ni2+ was first quantified using the ion-exchange technique (IET) and then concentrations were measured by GFAAS; [Ni2+] was also estimated using aquatic geochemistry modelling software (Visual Minteq). The mean EC 50 values for [Ni D ] in unmodified artificial seawater control was 3.6 µM (95% CI 3.0–4.5) [211 µg/L 95% CI 176–264] and the addition of ligands provided protection, up to 6.5-fold higher [Ni D ] EC 50 for EDTA. Compared to the control, measured EC50 values based on total dissolved nickel were higher in the presence of ligands. As predicted by BLM theory, [Ni2+] was a better predictor of Ni toxicity with 17% variability in EDTA and CA media while there was 72% variability in the prediction of Ni toxicity with total dissolved Ni. The results of this research provide support for the application of BLM- based prediction models for estimating Ni impacts in seawater. • Ni toxicity is reduced by addition of synthetic ligands. • Complexation tends to reduce toxicity consistent with the Biotic Ligand Model. • Effect concentrations based on total soluble nickel were higher for stronger binding ligands. • Effect concentrations based on ionic nickel were generally constant for different ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses how employers consider the idea of offering employees incentive to improve their financial lifestyle. Cost of poor financial wellness; Rewards for workers for personal financial wellness; Details on workplace financial education.

Presents information on the paradigm shift of consumer educators in the United States toward employee education. How the financial problems of employees affect their employers; Causes of financial problems faced by employees; Details on finance employee education.

The study was designed to measure the consumer knowledge and attitudes of college students enrolled at a representative Kenyan college. It was hypothesized that six variables (sex, academic level in college, academic major, rural or urban upbringing, having work experience and having completed a course in consumer education) would not be associated with achievement on the 47-item test or with the seven consumer attitude questions. The instrument was developed by the researcher for use in Kenya. Validity was checked by Kenyans as well as experts from the U.S. in test construction. Following a pre-test in Kenya, during the first week of classes in 1980, all students (n = 508) completed the instrument. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. Achievement was 31.3 (67.9%) on the consumer education test which was considered a moderate score. Having completed a consumer education course was one variable associated with higher scores on the test. Students majoring in Dairy and Food Science Technology as well as Home Economics did better than other majors on the test. In general, the students strongly supported attitudes expected of rational and responsible consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has indicated that the attitudes of teachers are often reflected in their students.1 If so, then what are the attitudes that potential community consumer educators may pass on to the people in their localities? Is there a relationship between their knowledge of consumer rights and responsibilities, and their opinions and behaviours? The knowledge, opinions and behaviours concerning consumer rights and responsibilities of community consumer educators may be reflected in their effectiveness in conducting community programs. Are they knowledgeable of their consumer rights and responsibilities? Do their own reported marketplace behaviours support their attitudes, or are they different? This study was designed to seek answers to these and related questions.2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 4000 prospective secondary and elementary teachers were tested in a national study to determine their knowledge of fourteen consumer subject areas. In the area of consumer food and nutrition knowledge the prospective teachers achieved only 48%. This area of consumer food and nutrition was found to be a critical weakness of prospective teachers relative to their performance in the other consumer subject areas. Prospective home economics and agriculture teachers scored higher than other majors on the food and nutrition questions but still revealed a poor cognitive grasp of the subject. Because of their impact on children's attitudes toward food and their eating patterns, prospective teachers need to be knowledgeable about food concepts. This study has implications for educators and college curriculum committees concerning the need for college level courses which deal with food and nutrition concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer knowledge and legal protection were measured in a telephone survey of a stratified random national sample of 1,305 older adults in the United States. The sample was divided into five age groups: 25-49, 50-64, 65-74, 75-84 and 85 and older. Respondents were aksed eight questions dealing with knowledge of consumer rights and protection. Consumer knowledge was poor and was not gender specific. As the age of the respondents increased, their knowledge score decreased. Those who were married or who were previously married scored higher than other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on consumers' level of knowledge, opinions, and degree of preparedness concerning selected practices and regulations of the funeral industry. Questionnaires were returned by 75 percent of the sample of faculty and staff at a large university. Opinions of respondents rejected the status quo concerning various practices and regulations of the funeral industry, indicating a desire to support newly suggested changes in the industry. Preparedness scores indicated that almost 9 out of 10 of the respondents were quite unprepared for their own funerals. The mean achievement score regarding knowledge as measured by the Consumer Funeral Test, which was developed for this study, was 4.0, representing 57 percent correct. Significant statistical relationships existed between knowledge scores and the age, education, and sex of the respondents; those who were older and had more education scored higher, and men scored higher than women. No relationships existed, however, among knowledge, opinion, and preparedness scores and the demographic variables of age, education, income, sex, and religion, raising the fundamental question of the value of funeral information programs for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examined relationships among the financial practices, financial well-being, and health of a sample of 3,121 financially distressed consumers who were new clients participating in the debt management program of a large national non-profit credit counseling organization. Respondents who reported having improved their health since participating in credit counseling were more likely than others to engage in positive financial behaviors. In addition, self-reported improved health was somewhat associated with self-reported improved finances. For six out of ten financial behaviors, respondents who reported improved health were more likely to report that their finances improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to identify factors that are associated with the financial behaviors of consumers who use credit-counseling services and to examine whether or not the behaviors are associated with these consumers' financial stress and satisfaction. Specifically, this study will: (1) Develop a framework to examine financial behaviors of consumers who use credit counseling services; (2) Identify factors that are associated with financial behaviors of these consumers; (3) Examine, in particular, whether or not the behaviors are associated with these consumers' financial stress and satisfaction; (4) Based on the findings, develop implications for credit counseling professionals to better meet the needs of consumers in credit counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how credit counseling clients' financial stress and financial satisfaction are associated with their work outcome variables, including personal finance-work conflict, work time used for personal finances, and absenteeism. Data were collected by a national non-profit organization, InCharge® Debt Solutions, from consumers who telephoned seeking assistance in debt management. Regression results showed that those with high levels of financial stress or lower levels of financial satisfaction were more likely than others to experience conflict from personal finances at work, to spend work time handling personal finances, and to cut down normal work [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the economic impact of employees' poor financial behavior on employers. Areas of costs associated with employees' poor financial behaviors; Estimated annual losses due to stress; Relationship between poor financial management and overall reduced employee productivity.

Presents observations concerning the role of consumer professionals in consumer protection during the era of regulatory reform and government downsizing in the United States. Consumer protection in an information-based, market-driven economic system; Equity concerns of consumers; Great need for consumer education.