Insights into the use of Buy Now Pay Later services and mental well-being
Authors
Homer, Wendy
Issue Date
2023-03
Degree
HDip in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
Abstract
This study investigated anxiety, stress, and coping levels of Irish and international participants using Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services. Materialism and pain of paying were also analysed to identify any influence over usage of BNPL services. Participants consisted of 109 (n=106), 83 females (n=83) and 25 males (n=25). An online questionnaire measured anxiety and stress through DASS-21. Coping was measured through strategic coping and avoidance coping subscales of Proactive Coping Inventory. Materialism was measured through Material Values Scale SF and pain of paying was measured through Tightwads-spendthrift scale. Kruskal-Wallis analyses revealed no significant differences in anxiety, stress, or coping levels between BNPL and other purchase finance users. Materialism and pain of paying were found not to influence BNPL choice. Other vulnerable populations should be examined for mental health issues from BNPL usage given current trends.