Intersectionality of Self-Reported Food Insecurity and Perceived Stress of College Students at a Land-Grant Southeastern Higher Education Institution during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Published in: Georgia journal of college student affairs Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 25 - 46
• Main Authors: OoNorasak, Kendra, Barr, Makenzie, Pennell, Michael, Hardesty, Dylan, Yokokura, Kotomi, Udarbe, Samantha, Stephenson, Tammy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Digital Commons@Georgia Southern 2023; Georgia Southern University
• Subjects: College Students; COVID-19; food insecurity; Hunger; Intersectionality; Land Grant Universities; Measurement Techniques; Mental Health; Pandemics; perceived stress; psychosocial health; Stress Variables; Student Employment; Kentucky
• ISSN: 2330-7269; 2330-7277; 2330-7269
• DOI: 10.20429/gcpa.2023.390102

College food insecurity (FI) and poor psychosocial health are prevalent public health issues in the U.S., yet often overlooked. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, repercussions on these critical inequity issues remain unclear. During the summer months of 2020, this cross-sectional survey examined associations between students' self-reported FI and perceived stress (PSS-10), one aspect of poor psychosocial health. Among respondents, 31.3% were food insecure and 37.8% were laid off or temporarily furloughed. This study adds important findings about college FI and perceived stress to the limited literature regarding college student health during the pandemic. A more rigorous study design with a larger, nationally or regionally representative sample is recommended for future studies. To address both complex issues of college FI and stress, a multifaceted interdisciplinary approach, well-supported by college administrators, would be warranted.