Financial Stress Research Under the Magnitude Mind Lens

This study applied the Magnitude Mind Model (MMM) to evaluate the quality of cross-sectional financial stress literature beyond traditional methodological checklists. The MMM integrates magnitude thinking (SICHA: Scale, Impact, Complexity, Holism, Accuracy) with measures of intellectual humility (acknowledging uncertainty, context, and specific limitations) and hubris (simple causal claims, overgeneralization, false certainty). Following PRISMA ۲۰۲۰ guidelines, we consecutively selected the first ۲۰ open-access English-language, Scopus Q۱/Q۲-indexed cross-sectional studies on financial stress published between ۲۰۱۵ and ۲۰۲۵ from a pool of ۶۷۰ records. Two independent raters scored each paper on the ۱۱ MMM sub-items, achieving excellent inter-rater reliability. Results suggested that, within this exploratory sample, only ۱۰% of papers attained a high Magnitude Mind score, whereas ۴۵% scored low. Hubris was the strongest correlate of MM scores in exploratory analyses. Low-MM papers frequently used causal language such as "causes" and "impacts" from cross-sectional data, overgeneralized findings from convenience samples, and presented generic limitation statements. Holism was the weakest SICHA sub-item, with ۵۰% of papers scoring low. Analytical methods did not guarantee epistemic quality; two methodologically complex papers scored low due to extreme hubris. Temporal analysis revealed no significant improvement from ۲۰۱۵ to ۲۰۲۵. Within this sample, ۴۵% of papers were classified as Low MM. The MMM may offer a potentially useful diagnostic and prescriptive tool for researchers, reviewers, and editors to promote more rigorous, humble, and credible science.

کلیدواژه ها:

Epistemic Humility ، Financial Stress ، Hubris ، Magnitude Mind Model ، Systematic Review