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Adapting the USDA Food Security Survey Module for use with college students: Can we improve model fit?

Author

Listed:
  • Brenna Ellison
  • Cassandra J. Nguyen
  • Matthew P. Rabbitt
  • Brian French
  • Meg Bruening

Abstract

The USDA Food Security Survey Module (FSSM) is the gold standard for measuring food security; however, research suggests that college students may respond to FSSM items differently than the general population. Students may have a varied portfolio of food and financial resources (thus, complicating interpretations of “money”) to acquire food. We conducted a randomized control trial to test whether a preamble to address this issue improves model fit. Results indicated the preamble did not improve model fit, and students' responses deviated from expected patterns. More research could help understand these deviations and their implications for measuring FI on college campuses.

Suggested Citation

  • Brenna Ellison & Cassandra J. Nguyen & Matthew P. Rabbitt & Brian French & Meg Bruening, 2024. "Adapting the USDA Food Security Survey Module for use with college students: Can we improve model fit?," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 46(4), pages 1301-1318, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:46:y:2024:i:4:p:1301-1318
    DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13425
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Craig Gundersen, 2021. "Are College Students More Likely to Be Food Insecure than Nonstudents of Similar Ages?," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(4), pages 1476-1486, December.
    2. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew & Gregory, Christian, 2022. "Statistical Supplement to Household Food Security in the United States in 2021," Amber Waves:The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 2022(Administr), September.
    3. Ellison, Brenna & Bruening, Meg & Hruschka, Daniel J. & Nikolaus, Cassandra J. & van Woerden, Irene & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Nickols-Richardson, Sharon M., 2021. "Viewpoint: Food insecurity among college students: A case for consistent and comparable measurement," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    4. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew & Gregory, Christian & Singh, Anita, 2022. "Statistical Supplement to Household Food Security in the United States in 2021," Amber Waves:The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 2022(Administr), September.
    5. Cassandra J Nikolaus & Brenna Ellison & Sharon M Nickols-Richardson, 2019. "Are estimates of food insecurity among college students accurate? Comparison of assessment protocols," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew & Gregory, Christian & Singh, Anita, 2022. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2021," Amber Waves:The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 2022(Economic ), September.
    7. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew & Gregory, Christian & Singh, Anita, 2022. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2021," Amber Waves:The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 2022(Economic ), September.
    8. Blumberg, S.J. & Bialostosky, K. & Hamilton, W.L. & Briefel, R.R., 1999. "The effectiveness of a short form of the household food security scale," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(8), pages 1231-1234.
    9. Robert A. Moffitt & David C. Ribar, 2016. "Rasch Analyses of Very Low Food Security among Households and Children in the Three City Study," Southern Economic Journal, Southern Economic Association, vol. 82(4), pages 1123-1146, April.
    10. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P & Gregory, Christian A & Singh, Anita, 2022. "Statistical Supplement to Household Food Security in the United States in 2021," Administrative Publications 327331, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    11. Michael Gutter & Zeynep Copur, 2011. "Financial Behaviors and Financial Well-Being of College Students: Evidence from a National Survey," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 699-714, December.
    12. repec:wly:soecon:v:82:4:y:2016:p:1123-1146 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Coleman-Jensen, Alisha, 2017. "Rasch analyses of the standardized Spanish translation of the U.S. household food security survey module," Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, IOS Press, issue 2, pages 171-187.
    14. Robert A. Moffitt & David C. Ribar, 2016. "Rasch Analyses of Very Low Food Security among Households and Children in the Three City Study," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 82(4), pages 1123-1146, April.
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