Development of the Japanese version of the Financial Threat Scale

Abstract

This study aimed to create a Japanese version of the Financial Threat Scale (FTS-J). In Study 1, the FTS was translated into Japanese, and then a survey was conducted. In Study 1, data from 414 employees (281 men, 133 women; mean age = 44.89 years, SD = 8.13) were analyzed. Four results were confirmed concerning its validity. First, those with stronger perceptions of financial threat were associated with poor mental health. Second, the stronger the perceived financial threat, the lower the trait of self-efficacy and the stronger the negative reflection and worry. Third, participants with stronger perceptions of financial threat were found to perceive their current economic situation as more difficult. Fourth, the high-income group showed a lower level of perceived financial threat than the low- and medium-income groups. In Study 2, data from 288 individuals (210 men and 78 women; mean age = 47.14 years, SD = 8.12) were analyzed in two surveys conducted three weeks apart, yielding a moderate positive association between the two surveys. Finally, the expansion of the study population was discussed.