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The Psychology of COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment Use

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah D. Asebedo

    (Texas Tech University)

  • Taufiq Hasan Quadria

    (Texas Tech University)

  • Blake T. Gray

    (Texas Tech University)

  • Yi Liu

    (St. John Fisher College)

Abstract

This study investigates how American adults’ personality and financial self-efficacy (FSE) beliefs contributed to how they used their COVID-19 CARES Act Economic Impact Payment (EIP) for spending needs, spending wants, and financial transactions (save, invest, debt repayment). The results from a sample of 1172 Amazon MTurk users collected in July 2020 suggest that both personality traits and FSE beliefs were associated with EIP use. Specifically, this study finds that FSE and conscientiousness emerged as the most robust predictors of EIP use across all categories of financial behavior with a greater allocation of EIP funds to saving and less to spending needs and debt repayment. Additionally, greater FSE is associated with investing, while greater conscientiousness is connected to more spending on wants. The results suggest that saving habits associated with personality and FSE persist in a crisis environment, and pre-crisis preparedness may allow for greater spending flexibility on wants. Significant relationships were also found for openness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The findings highlight how people use unexpected financial windfalls during crises and uncertainty and how personal characteristics contribute to this decision making.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah D. Asebedo & Taufiq Hasan Quadria & Blake T. Gray & Yi Liu, 2022. "The Psychology of COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment Use," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 239-260, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:43:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10834-021-09804-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-021-09804-1
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    1. Niculaescu, Corina E. & Sangiorgi, Ivan & Bell, Adrian R., 2023. "Does personal experience with COVID-19 impact investment decisions? Evidence from a survey of US retail investors," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).

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