Ilana G Raskind|Regine Haardörfer|Carla J. Berg
Food insecurity, psychosocial health and academic performance among college and university students in Georgia, USA
Emory University|Emory University|Emory University
examine whether psychosocial health mediates association food insecurity grade point average gpa among college university studentsdata present study longitudinal cohort study structural equation modelling sem used test proposed mediation hypothesis food insecurity measured using us department agricultures sixitem short form psychosocial health operationalized latent factor three indicators depression anxiety hope validated scales used measure indicator gpa selfreportedseven colleges universities georgia usaparticipantsstudents aged 1825 years recruited via email surveyed every four months twoyear period analytic n 2377approximately 29 students food insecure final sem food insecurity associated standardized se poorer psychosocial health 022 003 plt00001 poorer psychosocial health associated lower gpa 021 003 plt00001 indirect effect food security status gpa mediated psychosocial health significant 005 001 plt00001 accounted 73 total effect accounting psychosocial health direct effect food security status gpa significant 002 002 p043psychosocial health may important mechanism food insecurity affects academic performance among college university students multicomponent interventions address immediate food security needs well cooccurring mental health academic concerns needed ensure student success