I am trying to find out if a bad credit history affects a person's chances of receiving citizenship. Thank you!

Yes, and it will also affect many other parts of your life, from being able to rent an apartment, and how much you will pay for insurance, to even if you can get a certain job.

It may affect it... but it won't be the only factor considered. And alone may not be enough prevent it. They will consider the reason its bad, as in what events and how many of them occurred and over how long a period. There is bad, and then there is BAD. The exact circumstances to them will matter more than the simple fact it is bad. And those will be clear from the history.