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The Association between Food Security Status and Psychological Distress and Loneliness among Full-Time Undergraduate Students at a Minority-Serving Institution

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro G. Guzman

    (School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-7251, USA)

  • James E. Lange

    (Well-Being & Health Promotion Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4705, USA)

  • Amanda C. McClain

    (School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-7251, USA)

Abstract

Little is known about the relationship of food security (FS) status with mental health among students at minority-serving institutions. We aimed to elucidate the association of FS status with psychological distress and loneliness among full-time undergraduate students at a minority-serving institution. We used data from the National Collegiate Health Assessment III (n = 441). To assess FS, students responded to the USDA 6-item short form (range: 0–6) and responses were categorized as high (0), marginal (1) or low/very low (2–6) FS. The Kessler 6 scale assessed psychological distress (range: 0–24). The UCLA loneliness scale assessed loneliness (range: 3–9). Higher scores indicated higher psychological distress and loneliness. Using adjusted linear regression models, we examined the association of FS with psychological distress and loneliness. Compared to students with high FS (mean (SD): 9.4 (0.8)), students with marginal (11.4 (1.0); p < 0.05) or low/very low (11.8 (0.8); p < 0.01) FS had higher psychological distress scores. Compared to students with high FS (5.5 (0.3)), students with low/very low FS (6.0 (0.3); p < 0.05) had higher loneliness scores. Future studies should further explore these relationships using mixed methods, to provide complementary quantitative findings with the emic perspective of students and their experiences, which can inform programming to prevent and reduce food insecurity.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro G. Guzman & James E. Lange & Amanda C. McClain, 2022. "The Association between Food Security Status and Psychological Distress and Loneliness among Full-Time Undergraduate Students at a Minority-Serving Institution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:15245-:d:976736
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Katharine M. Broton & Kari E. Weaver & Minhtuyen Mai, 2018. "Hunger in Higher Education: Experiences and Correlates of Food Insecurity among Wisconsin Undergraduates from Low-Income Families," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(10), pages 1-25, September.
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    4. Nor Syaza Sofiah Ahmad & Norhasmah Sulaiman & Mohamad Fazli Sabri, 2021. "Food Insecurity: Is It a Threat to University Students’ Well-Being and Success?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    5. Monideepa B. Becerra & Benjamin J. Becerra, 2020. "Psychological Distress among College Students: Role of Food Insecurity and Other Social Determinants of Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, June.
    6. Miriam Manboard & Cassandra M. Johnson & Hannah Thornton & Lesli Biediger-Friedman, 2021. "The HOME Study: Understanding How College Students at a Hispanic Serving Institution Coped with Food Insecurity in a Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, October.
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