Financial Counseling and Planning

The Journal of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education

Volume 14 (1), 2003


Financial Stress and Absenteeism: An Empirically. Derived Model

Jinhee Kim (1) and E Thomas Garman (2)

This paper examines the relationship between financial stress and absenteeism. A conceptual model was derived from a Health Promotion Model and empirically tested to investigate relationships among determinants (individual characteristics), stress (financial stress), physical and psychological responses (organizational commitment and health), and absenteeism. Using data from white-collar workers at an insurance company in three mid-western states, this research determined that financial stress was negatively related to organizational commitment and was positively associated with absenteeism. Employers might reduce employee absenteeism and improve organizational commitment by helping employees reduce financial stress through effective workplace financial education programs.

Key words: Financial stress, Absenteeism, Workplace,Financial Education

1. Jinhee Kim, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Maryland, Department of Family Studies, 1204 MarieMount Hall, College Park, MD 20742-7515, phone: 301-405-3500, fax: 301-314-9161, e-mail: jinkim@.umd.edu

2. E. Thomas Garman, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech University, 8044 Rural Retreat Court, Orlando, FL 32819, phone: 407-363-9048; e-mail: tgarman@bellsouth.net