Applying positive psychology to the examination of factors related to saving

Ninety-eight participants completed an online survey measuring self-control, regulatory focus, emotional and psychological well-being, total savings, and a variety of saving behaviors. Using hierarchical regression analysis, the predictive value of self-control and regulatory focus on amount of total savings was investigated. It was found that self-control and regulatory focus do not account for a significant proportion of the variance in savings above and beyond age and income. Furthermore, chi-square analysis revealed that type of regulatory focus was not significantly related to the type of saving strategies participants utilized. However, it was found that participants with a promotion focus started saving earlier than those with a prevention focus. The present study also examined the outcome of saving money in terms of emotional and psychological well-being. Multiple regression analysis revealed that total savings did not serve as a significant predictor of emotional or psychological well-being, above and beyond income