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Understanding Financial Decisions in Older Adults

This study, called "Discovery," is looking at how older adults make financial decisions, especially those who might be vulnerable to financial exploitation. Researchers want to understand patterns in how people choose between risky or trusting options, and how willing they are to be altruistic (generous). The goal is to identify behaviors that make some older adults more susceptible to financial exploitation. This information could help create better ways to protect older adults from financial harm. You can join if you are over 60 years old and speak English. The study aims to enroll 400 participants.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will observe and collect information without giving any specific interventions. It plans to include 400 participants.
What's involved
Your participation would involve completing decision-making tasks, which are expected to take about 5-10 minutes each.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcomes are measured during the time of the decision-making tasks (about 5-10 minutes).

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07682727

Leveraging Behavioral Economics to Understand and Improve Financial Decision Making Among Vulnerable Older Adults (Discovery)

Not Yet Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 60+Observational
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
~400 participants
Updated 2026-07-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Frequency of choosing the riskier option on the risk tolerance decision-making task
Measured over During the time of the decision-making task (about 5-10 minutes)
+9 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Financial Exploitation of Older Adults

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Financial Decision-MakingFinancial Exploitation of Older AdultsScam

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Texas1

Study leadership

  • Abdelaziz Alsharawy, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Who to contact

Abdelaziz Alsharawy, PhD
[email protected]
(713) 500-9000
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults over the age of 60
English speakers, to ensure comprehension of study tasks

Exclusion

Less than age 60
Non-English speaker

What this trial measures

  • Frequency of choosing the riskier option on the risk tolerance decision-making taskDuring the time of the decision-making task (about 5-10 minutes)

    Participants will complete a decision-making session that captures multiple dimensions of behavioral preferences via incentivized choice-based tasks with real monetary rewards. The study team will administer the following decision-making task via a web-based survey platform to characterize risk tolerance (willingness to accept uncertain outcomes). The task involves multiple rounds (between 20 to 40) that vary option-specific information to facilitate mapping of elicited behavioral responses onto parameters characterizing standard utility functions.

  • Frequency of choosing the more trusting option on the trust decision-making taskDuring the time of the decision-making task (about 5-10 minutes)

    Participants will complete a decision-making session that captures multiple dimensions of behavioral preferences via incentivized choice-based tasks with real monetary rewards. The study team will administer the following decision-making task via a web-based survey platform to characterize interpersonal trust (willingness to accept being vulnerable to other people). The task involves multiple rounds (between 20 to 40) that vary option-specific information to facilitate mapping of elicited behavioral responses onto parameters characterizing standard utility functions.

  • Frequency of choosing the more altruistic option on the altruism decision-making taskDuring the time of the decision-making task (about 5-10 minutes)

    Participants will complete a decision-making session that captures multiple dimensions of behavioral preferences via incentivized choice-based tasks with real monetary rewards. The study team will administer the following decision-making task via a web-based survey platform to characterize altruism (willingness to incur a financial cost to benefit another person). The task involves multiple rounds (between 20 to 40) that vary option-specific information to facilitate mapping of elicited behavioral responses onto parameters characterizing standard utility functions.

  • Frequency of choosing the more patient option on the impatience decision-making taskDuring the time of the decision-making task (about 5-10 minutes)

    Participants will complete a decision-making session that captures multiple dimensions of behavioral preferences via incentivized choice-based tasks with real monetary rewards. The study team will administer the following decision-making task via a web-based survey platform to characterize patience (willingness to forego a sooner reward for a bigger future reward). The task involves multiple rounds (between 20 to 40) that vary option-specific information to facilitate mapping of elicited behavioral responses onto parameters characterizing standard utility functions.

  • Frequency of choosing the less loss-averse option on the loss-aversion decision-making taskDuring the time of the decision-making task (about 5-10 minutes)

    Participants will complete a decision-making session that captures multiple dimensions of behavioral preferences via incentivized choice-based tasks with real monetary rewards. The study team will administer the following decision-making task via a web-based survey platform to characterize loss aversion (tendency to weigh potential losses more heavily than equivalent gains). The task involves multiple rounds (between 20 to 40) that vary option-specific information to facilitate mapping of elicited behavioral responses onto parameters characterizing standard utility functions.

  • Physiological arousal as measured via heart rateDuring the time of the decision-making tasks (about 20-40 minutes)

    Participants recruited for in-lab sessions will complete the decision-making tasks while also sitting before a monitor with an eye-tracker to monitor attention, a webcam to monitor facial expressions, and with a wireless device (non-invasive transmitter placed on participant's wrist with two electrodes attached to finger) worn to monitor physiological measurements (heart rate and skin conductance) while completing the choice-based tasks.

  • Physiological arousal as measured via skin conductanceDuring the time of the decision-making tasks (about 20-40 minutes)

    Participants recruited for in-lab sessions will complete the decision-making tasks while also sitting before a monitor with an eye-tracker to monitor attention, a webcam to monitor facial expressions, and with a wireless device (non-invasive transmitter placed on participant's wrist with two electrodes attached to finger) worn to monitor physiological measurements (heart rate and skin conductance) while completing the choice-based tasks.

  • Physiological arousal as measured via pupil dilationDuring the time of the decision-making tasks (about 20-40 minutes)

    Participants recruited for in-lab sessions will complete the decision-making tasks while also sitting before a monitor with an eye-tracker to monitor attention, a webcam to monitor facial expressions, and with a wireless device (non-invasive transmitter placed on participant's wrist with two electrodes attached to finger) worn to monitor physiological measurements (heart rate and skin conductance) while completing the choice-based tasks.

  • Frequency of facial expressions associated with valence and engagementDuring the time of the decision-making tasks (about 20-40 minutes)

    Participants recruited for in-lab sessions will complete the decision-making tasks while also sitting before a monitor with an eye-tracker to monitor attention, a webcam to monitor facial expressions, and with a wireless device (non-invasive transmitter placed on participant's wrist with two electrodes attached to finger) worn to monitor physiological measurements (heart rate and skin conductance) while completing the choice-based tasks. Facial expressions will be assessed using a facial expression analysis system (iMotions software).

  • Attention as assessed by eye fixationsDuring the time of the decision-making tasks (about 20-40 minutes)

    Participants recruited for in-lab sessions will complete the decision-making tasks while also sitting before a monitor with an eye-tracker to monitor attention, a webcam to monitor facial expressions, and with a wireless device (non-invasive transmitter placed on participant's wrist with two electrodes attached to finger) worn to monitor physiological measurements (heart rate and skin conductance) while completing the choice-based tasks. Relative fixation duration on each option in the behavioral tasks will be measured via an eye tracker (SmartEye).