Spending as Social and Affective Coping (SSAC): Measure Development and Initial Validation

Abstract

The Spending as Social and Affective Coping (SSAC) scale measures the degree to which people spend money to cope with negative affect and their social environment. An exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor model explaining 60.34% of the item variance: Affective Coping, Social Coping, and Spending Impulsivity. A confirmatory factor analysis in a new sample found that a hierarchical model with one primary factor and three secondary factors was superior to one-, two-, three-factor, and bifactor solutions. We found significant correlations between SSAC subscale scores and related scale scores measuring impulsive and compulsive buying, material values, contingent self-esteem, need to belong, and negative mood regulation. Results suggested partial invariance across gender and full invariance across status as a student or professional . We discuss the use of this scale for research on social class and coping, and counseling interventions, advocacy, and education.