Development of a Measure of Vanity-Motivated Overspending.
Abstract
Financial vulnerability is one aspect of a subject's background that is relevant to a security investigation. Those who exhibit extravagant spending patterns may be more vulnerable to monetary enticements to breach security than people who manage their finances responsibly. Overspenders may acquire sufficient debt such that they cannot service the debt through legally acquired income. Thus, they may be more susceptible to engaging in illegal, and profitable, offenses that might pose a risk to national security. The objective of this study was to develop a paper-and-pencil instrument for the identification of those who may engage in extravagant spending to enhance their vanity needs. Based on a literature review in the areas of narcissism, compulsive spending, and correlates of savings behavior, ten topic areas were identified relating to vanity-motivated overspending. These topic areas were used to guide development of a 104 item questionnaire. This questionnaire was administered to a sample of college students at a midwest university.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA262764
Entities
People
- Diane Duckworth
- G. J. Worst
- Michael A. Mcdaniel
Organizations
- Booz Allen Hamilton