Consumer Economic Wellbeing

In light of today’s tumultuous economic times, financial wellness is becoming a focus for mental health professionals. Consumer Well-being draws heavily from the literature of the emerging field of behavior economics, which integrates advances of psychology and economics to address consumer well-being and critical consumer economic issues. After definition and discussion of the term consumer well-being, the text focuses on the development of relevant theories and concepts that aid in predicting and modifying consumer behaviors. Consumer behaviors that help improve well-being, such as earning, spending, borrowing, and saving are also covered. In addition, the book discusses how to define consumer rights and responsibilities, and how individual consumers are organized to protect their own interests and to voice their concerns in public decision making processes. Finally, the book covers effects of economic environments on consumer well-being and how consumers can effectively deal with these challenges.

Dr. Jing Jian Xiao is Professor of Consumer Economics at University of Rhode Island. He teaches courses and conducts research on consumer economic issues. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Family and Economic Issues and the Editor-in-Chief of this book series, International Series on Consumer Science. In addition, he serves on editorial boards of several other journals in consumer economics and finance. He has published extensively in areas of consumer economics and finance, including a new book entitled Handbook& of Consumer Finance Research (2008, Springer). He has played leadership roles in professional organizations in consumer economics, having served as the president of American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI), the president of Asian Consumer and Family Economics Association, among others. He received his Ph.D. in consumer economics from Oregon State University. He was the TCA Professor and Director of Take Charge America Institute for Consumer Financial Education and Research at University of Arizona in 2005-2007.