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Rasch Analyses of Very Low Food Security among Households and Children in the Three City Study

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  • Robert A. Moffitt
  • David C. Ribar

Abstract

The longitudinal Three City Study (TCS) of low‐income families with children measures food hardships using fewer and some different questions from the standard U.S. instrument, the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) in the Current Population Survey (CPS). We use a Rasch measurement model to identify thresholds of very low food security among households and among children in the TCS that are comparable to thresholds from the HFSSM. We also use the TCS to empirically investigate the determinants of food insecurity and of these specific food insecurity outcomes, estimating a multivariate behavioral Rasch model that is adapted to address longitudinal data. The estimation results indicate that participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program reduce food insecurity, while poverty and disability among caregivers increase it. Besides its longitudinal structure, the TCS measures many more characteristics about households than the CPS. Our estimates reveal that financial assistance through social networks and a household's own financial assets reduce food insecurity, while its outstanding loans increase insecurity.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:82:y:2016:i:4:p:1123-1146
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12081
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard A. DePolt & Robert A. Moffitt & David C. Ribar, 2009. "Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance For Needy Families And Food Hardships In Three American Cities," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(4), pages 445-473, October.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Chinasa S. Onyenekwe & Uche T. Okpara & Patience I. Opata & Irene S. Egyir & Daniel B. Sarpong, 2022. "The Triple Challenge: Food Security and Vulnerabilities of Fishing and Farming Households in Situations Characterized by Increasing Conflict, Climate Shock, and Environmental Degradation," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Wei Fu & Chen Huang & Feng Liu, 2023. "Unemployment benefits, food insecurity, and supplemental nutrition assistance program spending," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 105(2), pages 479-502, March.
    5. Matthew Freedman & Yoonjung Kim, 2022. "Quasi‐Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Expanding Cash Welfare," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(3), pages 859-890, June.

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