Loneliness and Trust in Online Romance Scams
Author Information
Author(s): Cole Rebecca
Primary Institution: University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley
Hypothesis
Older adults may be at greater risk of financial losses from online romance scams due to feelings of loneliness and trust.
Conclusion
The study found a medium-strength relationship between age and financial losses from online romance scams.
Supporting Evidence
- Most participants reported their race as White or Black or African American.
- The mean reported money lost to the online romance scams was $133,647.
- Pearson’s product-moment correlation was used to identify the variables’ associations.
Takeaway
Older people who feel lonely and trust others too much can lose a lot of money in online romance scams.
Methodology
Data was collected through a nationwide online survey about U.S. online romance scam victimization.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in participant selection due to reliance on community partners and social media for recruitment.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on a small sample of victims identified through community partners and social media.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 4 males and 27 females, mostly White or Black/African American, with an average age of 52 years and a college degree.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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