Study explains why adults raised in poverty struggle to let go of thrifty habits
Research shows people who grew up in poverty carry heightened financial stress into adulthood and tend to act more riskily when they feel threatened with losing everything.
Researchers have found that a childhood spent in financially unstable conditions leaves lasting effects well into adulthood. People who grew up poor are more likely to experience stress about money than those without that background.
According to the research, these individuals tend to act more riskily in moments when they feel threatened with losing everything they have built. Their greatest fear is slipping back into the same financial situation they grew up in, so they do everything they can to avoid it.
Old habits persist
The way many of these people try to protect themselves from falling back into poverty often shows up as a return to habits formed in childhood. For example, they keep searching for the best deals and discounts even after their financial situation has improved and they could afford to spend more freely.
Saving money gives these individuals a sense of security that matters more to them than comfort or the freedom to use their financial resources more loosely. This behavior tends to persist regardless of how stable their current situation has become, since experiences from childhood shape deeply ingrained attitudes toward money and how it should be used.
