Food Insecurity Among Non-U.S. Citizen Postsecondary Students and the Importance of Social Capital

• In Event: Significance of Social Networks and Capital in Student Life

Abstract

This multi-sited quantitative study investigates the prevalence of food insecurity among postsecondary students based on citizenship/residency status and their help-seeking behaviors to cope with this issue by utilizing their social capital. High rates of food insecurity and differential results by citizenship/residency status indicate the importance of considering students’ unique identities in examining this concept. For non-U.S. citizen or temporary resident students, the lack of information about resources (e.g., emergency grants) can jeopardize their food security. However, their social capital (e.g., family, friends, and professors) can be a valuable source of information connecting them to available support. The findings suggest that key stakeholders should consider students’ different identities to effectively combat food insecurity and address the existing racial and social inequities.

Author

• Elmira Jangjou, University of Iowa
  Presenting Author