Food Insecurity, Multilevel Coping Strategies, and Depression among Single Female Caregivers: Findings from the...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Research
• Sociology

Background:

• Food insecurity disproportionately affects single-parent households.
• Coping strategies for food insecurity can vary widely.
• Mental health, particularly depression, is a significant concern among caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between the severity of food insecurity and depression in single female caregivers.
• To investigate the association between different types of food insecurity coping strategies and depression.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey data collected from 86 US caregivers with high poverty rates.
• Regression analysis used to determine associations among food security, coping strategies, and depression.

Main Results:

• High rates of food insecurity (76%) and depression (78%) were observed.
• Increased food insecurity severity correlated with more depressive symptoms and greater use of community, interpersonal, and individual coping strategies.
• Policy-level coping strategies and individual rationing were not associated with depression.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the need for interventions targeting the interplay of food insecurity coping and mental health in at-risk groups.
• Specific attention should be paid to vulnerable populations during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.