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Psychological Distress among College Students: Role of Food Insecurity and Other Social Determinants of Mental Health

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  • Monideepa B. Becerra

    (Department of Health Science and Human Ecology, Center for Health Equity, California State University, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA)

  • Benjamin J. Becerra

    (Department of Information & Decision Sciences, California State University, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA)

Abstract

Food insecurity is a major social determinant of health and an assessment of how it may impact college students’ mental health is imperative, as well as differential associations by self-identified gender. A cross-sectional survey was used among college students of a mid-size minority-serving institution with a final sample size of 302 participants aged 18 years or above. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable regressions were conducted, by gender, to assess the role of food insecurity (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) six-item questionnaire), on mental health outcomes (Kessler-6 scale and self-perception). All the statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS version 24 (IBM, Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA) with an alpha less than 0.05 used to denote significance. Among those with food insecurity, the odds of reporting psychological distress (odds ratio (OR) = 3.645, p < 0.05) and an average to very poor self-perceived mental health status (OR = 2.687, p <0.05) were higher compared to their food-secure counterparts, with the results consistent in a gender-specific analysis as well. Compared to men, however, women had higher odds of psychological distress (OR = 2.280, p < 0.05), as well as reporting average to very poor self-perceived mental health statuses (OR = 2.700, p < 0.05). Among women, any alcohol use in the past 12 months (OR = 2.505, p < 0.05) and a low self-perceived physical health status (OR = 3.601, p < 0.05) were associated with an average to very poor self-perceived mental health status. Among men, a low perceived physical health status was associated with higher odds of psychological distress (OR = 3.477, p < 0.05). The results of our study highlight that food insecurity should be considered a social determinant of mental health wellbeing. In addition, gender-specific trends in mental health highlight the need for targeted interventions for prevention and treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:4118-:d:369259
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nguyen, B.T. & Shuval, K. & Bertmann, F. & Yaroch, A.L., 2015. "The supplemental nutrition assistance program, food insecurity, dietary quality, and obesity among US adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(7), pages 1453-1459.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Brittany M. Loofbourrow & Rachel E. Scherr, 2023. "Food Insecurity in Higher Education: A Contemporary Review of Impacts and Explorations of Solutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Alice P. Villatoro & Vanessa L. Errisuriz & Melissa J. DuPont-Reyes, 2023. "Mental Health Needs and Services Utilization among Undergraduate and Graduate Students in Texas during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Seema Mihrshahi & Putu Novi Arfirsta Dharmayani & Janaki Amin & Alexandra Bhatti & Josephine Y. Chau & Rimante Ronto & Diana Turnip & Melanie Taylor, 2022. "Higher Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Psychological Distress among International University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Australian Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Cindy Mahoney & Benjamin J. Becerra & Devin Arias & Jacqueline E. Romano & Monideepa B. Becerra, 2022. "“ We’ve Always Been Kind of Kicked to the Curb ”: A Mixed-Methods Assessment of Discrimination Experiences among College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-11, August.

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