Childhood food insecurity, mental distress in young adulthood and the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Food insecurity
Group-based developmental trajectories
Mental health
Panel Study of Income Dynamics
Psychological distress
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Journal
Preventive medicine
ISSN: 1096-0260
Titre abrégé: Prev Med
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0322116
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
03 2023
03 2023
Historique:
received:
10
02
2021
revised:
16
12
2022
accepted:
27
12
2022
pubmed:
3
1
2023
medline:
3
3
2023
entrez:
2
1
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Food insecurity affects 14% of US homes with children and has been associated with increased mental health problems. Few studies have examined long-term consequences for mental health and the role of social policies. This study examined the association between childhood household food insecurity (HHFI) and young adult psychological distress, and the moderating role of caregiver psychological distress and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (1995-2015). The sample comprised 2782 children ages 0-12 years in 1997. Past-year HHFI was measured using the USDA 18-item questionnaire in 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003. Young adults' non-specific psychological distress was measured with the Kessler (K6) scale in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. Three trajectories of food insecurity were identified: 1) Persistent food security (70.5%); 2) Intermediate/fluctuating food insecurity (24.6%), and; 3) Persistent food insecurity (4.9%). Compared to persistent food security, fluctuating and persistent food insecurity were associated with significantly higher levels of psychological distress. This association was robust to adjusting for socio-demographic factors, caregiver psychological distress, and family access to governmental supports: [Adj. ORs (95% CI's = 1.72 (1.59-1.85) and 2.06 (1.81-2.33)]. Having a caregiver who suffered from psychological distress (1997 and/or 2002) and growing up with persistent food insecurity placed children at greater risk for mental health problems. Access to SNAP attenuated this risk. Early HHFI is associated with psychological distress in young adulthood. Interventions to increase access to SNAP and address caregivers mental health may prevent mental health problems associated with childhood HHFI.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36592677
pii: S0091-7435(22)00474-1
doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107409
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
107409Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.