Role of Credit Attitude on Credit Card Misuse: A Study of Malaysian Working Adults

Credit card misuse, an issue resulting from preference over luxurious lifestyle, overvaluation of available funds, and imprudence over credit usage, is at its worrying trend. Prior studies have evidenced that credit card misuse tends to be associated with indebtedness and psychological problems. This study aims to make its contribution by examining the contributing factors of credit card misuse among Malaysian working adults and the potential mitigating factor of credit attitude in curbing such problem. With a sample of 250 Malaysian working adults, it is concluded that materialism and social norms have a positive relationship with credit card misuse. However, with proper credit attitude, it is helpful in mitigating the credit card misuse problem. The findings of the study provide useful insights to the relevant parties on the importance of credit attitude. Actions shall be taken in promoting proper credit attitude in the younger generations.