A Financial Social Work Intervention for Families With Complex Financial Difficulties (FinSoc)

Summary

As of 2022, about 12% of children in Finland lived in poverty. Many of these families face not only a lack of money but also stress, low confidence in managing finances, and limited access to financial guidance. This study aims to support these families by improving their financial skills and well-being through a practical and research-based program.

As of 2022, about 12% of children in Finland lived in poverty. These families often face not only financial hardship but also stress, low confidence in managing money, and limited access to financial guidance. The FinSoc study supports such families by improving financial skills and well-being through a practical, research-based program.

The intervention includes five sessions with a trained social service professional, focusing on budgeting, financial decision-making, emotions around money, and the role of money in relationships. The goal is to reduce financial anxiety, improve knowledge, and build confidence in managing finances. The sessions also aim to help families talk more openly about money and set realistic financial goals.

To test effectiveness, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted. Families are randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving the FinSoc program) or a control group (receiving regular social work services and, after final measurements, a material package to promote financial capability).

At least 88 participants-families with at least one child under 18 and facing financial difficulties-will take part. Information will be collected at three time points: before the intervention, after it ends, and three months later. Outcomes include financial literacy, financial anxiety, economic self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life, measured with self-rating scales in questionnaires.

In addition to questionnaires, interviews will be conducted with a sample of families and social workers to explore their experiences-what worked, what could be improved, and how the sessions were received. This qualitative feedback will guide future development.

Formative evaluation involves feedback from families before and after each session, covering topic clarity, session usefulness, and experiences with the techniques. For fidelity assessment, social workers will report after each session on adherence to the planned approach and tool use.

The FinSoc program is offered through public and private social service providers. It was developed and is being implemented by an interdisciplinary team with expertise in financial social work, social policy, and mental health.

The study aims to improve families' everyday lives, inform social work practices, and contribute to knowledge on social and economic well-being.

Conditions

• Financial Difficulties

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

FinSoc

Financial Social Work intervention (FinSoc) The FinSoc intervention is a structured financial social work program designed for families experiencing complex financial difficulties. It consists of five modules, each delivered in a one-on-one session with a trained social worker. The modules focus on key areas such as budgeting, emotional and relational aspects of money, financial decision making, building long-term financial capability. The intervention aims to reduce financial anxiety, strengthen economic self-efficacy, and support overall wellbeing. Motivational interviewing techniques and client-centred approaches are used throughout to encourage active participation and goal-setting.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Helsinki

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Eastern Finland

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Turku

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Anniina Kaittila senior lecturer, PhD · University of Turku

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-07-01

Primary Completion

2026-03-01

Completion

2026-03-01

Countries

• Finland

Study Locations