A Financial Social Work Intervention for Families With Complex Financial Difficulties - A Randomised Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 入组人数
- 136
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Financial Literacy Scale
研究概览
简要总结
As of 2022, about 12% of children in Finland lived in poverty. Many of these families face not only a lack of money but also stress, low confidence in managing finances, and limited access to financial guidance. This study aims to support these families by improving their financial skills and well-being through a practical and research-based program.
The intervention includes five sessions with a trained social service professional, focusing on budgeting, financial decision-making, emotions around money, and the role of money in relationships. The goal is to reduce financial anxiety, improve knowledge, and build confidence in managing finances. The sessions also aim to help families talk more openly about money and set realistic financial goals.
To test effectiveness, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted. Families are randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving the FinSoc program) or a control group (receiving regular social work services and, after final measurements, a material package to promote financial capability).
At least 136 participants-families with at least one child under 18 and facing financial difficulties-will take part. Information will be collected at three time points: before the intervention, after it ends, and three months later. Outcomes include financial literacy, financial anxiety, economic self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life, measured with self-rating scales in questionnaires.
In addition to questionnaires, interviews will be conducted with a sample of families and social workers to explore their experiences-what worked, what could be improved, and how the sessions were received. This qualitative feedback will guide future development.
Formative evaluation involves feedback from families before and after each session, covering topic clarity, session usefulness, and experiences with the techniques. For fidelity assessment, social workers will report after each session on adherence to the planned approach and tool use.
The FinSoc program is offered through public and private social service providers. It was developed and is being implemented by an interdisciplinary team with expertise in financial social work, social policy, and mental health.
The study aims to improve families' everyday lives, inform social work practices, and contribute to knowledge on social and economic well-being.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Supportive Care
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Client status in child welfare services, family social work, adult social work, assessment of the need for services, health social work, and financial social work
- •Within the past six months, the client has brought up one or more of the following challenges in managing their finances during their contact with social services: (1) Difficulties paying bills, housing-related expenses, or repaying debts on time, (2) Difficulties meeting the basic needs of family members (e.g. food, medication, clothing) (3) A perceived lack of sufficient knowledge, skills, or competence to manage financial matters (4) Feelings of anxiety or stress related to financial situation.
- •There is at least one underage child in the family. In cases of shared custody, the child must reside in the household for an average of at least half of the time in each calendar month.
排除标准
- •There is an ongoing crisis or life situation in the family that, in the assessment of the social worker, prevents commitment to the intervention process.
- •There is an active criminal proceeding within the family.
- •The parents do not speak Finnish (all project materials are in Finnish, and there are no resources available to provide translations into other languages).
研究组 & 干预措施
FinSoc control group
No Intervention: Control The control group will receive the usual social work services. After the third measurement point, they will receive a materials package.
Experimental: FinSoc intervention
FinSoc intervention FinSoc intervention is delivered to the Experimental group by their social worker or social work professional.
干预措施: FinSoc (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Financial Literacy Scale
时间窗: Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 1 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement
The primary outcome variable, financial literacy, is measured using an adapted version of the Financial Literacy Questionnaire developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In this study, only items related to financial behaviour are included. Financial literacy is thus assessed using four statements: (1) 'Before I buy something, I carefully consider whether I can afford it'; (2) 'I pay my bills on time'; (3) 'I keep a close personal watch on my financial affairs'; and (4) 'I set long-term financial goals and strive to achieve them.' Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). The total score ranges from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater financial literacy.
Financial Literacy Scale
时间窗: Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 1 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement
The primary outcome variable, financial literacy, is measured using an adapted version of the Financial Literacy Questionnaire developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In this study, only items related to financial behaviour are included. Financial literacy is thus assessed using four statements: (1) 'Before I buy something, I carefully consider whether I can afford it'; (2) 'I pay my bills on time'; (3) 'I keep a close personal watch on my financial affairs'; and (4) 'I set long-term financial goals and strive to achieve them.' Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). The total score ranges from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater financial literacy.
Financial Literacy Scale
时间窗: Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 2 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement
Financial literacy is operationalised as an adapted OECD/INFE financial behaviour score. The score consists of six selected behaviour indicators: four Likert-based financial behaviour statements, one saving behaviour item, and one budgeting item. The four Likert-based items are dichotomised so that responses indicating "mostly true" or "completely true" are scored as 1 and other responses as 0. The saving item is scored as 1 if the respondent reports active saving behaviour according to OECD/INFE scoring principles. The budgeting item is scored as 1 if the respondent reports preparing a household or personal budget. The total score ranges from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating more financially responsible behaviours.
次要结局
- Economic Self-Efficacy(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 1 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement.)
- Financial Anxiety(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre randomization, 2) within 1 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement.)
- Health related quality of life(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 1 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement)
- Economic Self-Efficacy(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 1 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement.)
- Financial Anxiety(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre randomization, 2) within 1 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement.)
- Health related quality of life(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 1 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement)
- Economic Self-Efficacy(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 2 weeks post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement.)
- Financial Anxiety(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre randomization, 2) within 2 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement.)
- Health related quality of life(Measured at three timepoints: 1) baseline pre-randomization, 2) within 2 week post-intervention for intervention group and at 3 months post-baseline for control group, 3) 3 months after previous measurement)
研究者
Anniina Kaittila
university lecturer, associate professor
University of Turku