The Financial Well-Being Scale: Reliability, Validity, and Clinical Correlates Among Childhood Trauma Survivors

Purpose: This study examined the reliability, validity, and clinical correlates of the financial well-being as measured using the CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale (FWBS) among Chinese childhood trauma survivors. Methods: The sample consisted of childhood trauma survivors in a survey project (n = 151), with a subsample at follow-up approximately 5 months after baseline (n = 71). Participants first completed validated screening measures of financial well-being and mental health symptoms at baseline (T1), and then reported their symptoms again at follow-up (T2). Results: Financial well-being is reliably and validly measured using the FWBS in this sample. T1 financial well-being significantly predicted disturbances in self-organization (β = −.238, p = .01) and depressive symptoms (β = −.239, p < .01) at T2. Discussion: Financial well-being is a reliable and valid construct in this sample. Financial well-being predicted psychological symptoms among childhood trauma survivors. Trauma care services should take financial well-being into consideration.