A longitudinal evaluation of a financial literacy curriculum for survivors of domestic violence

Background & Purpose: This study aims to measure the long term effectiveness of a financial literacy curriculum, Moving Ahead with Financial Literacy created and funded by The Allstate Foundation in partnership with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). This curriculum was introduced in 2008 to survivors of domestic violence across 15 states. This study measures the outcomes of the participants on quality of life, economic empowerment, financial literacy, economic self sufficiency, intimate partner violence, financial abuse, depression and PTSD.

Methods: A longitudinal study design with convenience sampling is used to gather data. The results of this study are based on data obtained during two rounds of interviews with survivors of abuse. The participants are scheduled for a third round later this year. One hundred and twenty one survivors participated in the first round of interviews and a total of 100 individuals took part in the second round of interviews (83% response rate). Financial literacy was measured through the use of a newly constructed scale based on the curriculum and included topics such as how to identify signs of economic abuse, how to develop a budget and begin saving money. Other validated or slightly modified scales used for this study include a modified Family Empowerment Scale, the Financial Self-Efficacy Scale, the WEN Economic Self-Sufficiency scale, the Abusive Behavior Inventory, the Scale of Economic Abuse, and the CES-D. Quality of life was measured using an adapted version of the Andrews and Witeys' Scale of Well-Being, and PTSD was assessed using a revised scale from the National Comorbidity Survey. Paired T-tests were run to measure the differences between Round 1 and Round 2 on quality of life, economic empowerment, financial literacy, economic self sufficiency, intimate partner violence, depression, financial abuse and PTSD of the victims.

Results: The results of the paired t tests suggest there are significant differences in participant mean scores between round one and round two. The mean score of Physical IPV decreased by 1.49 (t= 12.9; p< .01). The mean score of psychological IPV decreased by 2.03 (t= 16.05; p< .01). The mean score of PTSD decreased by .29 (t= 3.22; p< .01). The mean score of economic control decreased by 1.56 (t= 12.05; p< .01). The mean score of economic exploitation decreased by 1.57 (t= 12.7; p< .01). The mean score of quality of life increased by .14 (t= -.16; p< .01). The mean score of depression decreased by .16 (t= 2.86 p< .01). The mean score of family level empowerment increased by .28 (t= -4.35; p< .01). However, there were no significant differences in financial literacy and service and community level of empowerment

Implications: The results suggest that there are long term effects of this financial literacy curriculum. The findings highlight the possible positive effects of economic education on domestic violence survivors' level of depression, PTSD, economic abuse, physical and psychological IPV, and empowerment.