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Coping Strategies Used by Food Insecure Households

NCT02767141 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 320

Last updated 2016-05-10

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Children without consistent access to sufficient and nutritious food show sustained disadvantages. To improve food security, households utilize three types of coping strategies- participating in governmental feeding and financial assistance programs; obtaining food from nongovernment providers; and using individually developed strategies. To understand the interdependencies among strategies and decision-making processes used to select them, the investigators conducted a two-phased, mixed-methods study using a socio-ecological theoretical framework. First, employing a cross sectional, observational design the investigators administered in-person surveys to 320 adults in very low food secure (VLFS) households with children. Over 1 year later, the investigators repeated select questions and conducted in depth interviews with a cohort (n=28) of participants. Descriptive statistics defined magnitude of associations among strategies. Following bivariate analysis, the investigators assessed interdependencies and factors affecting relationships with log-linear models. The investigators analyzed interviews using an hierarchically ordered, analytical coding structure. With Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), the investigators developed typologies of VLFS and created models treating food security as an outcome. The association of soup kitchen use and nutritionally risky behavior was altered by Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Food safety-related risky behavior level related to intensity of food pantry use by participation in school food programs. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) did not affect the association between soup kitchen use and risky food safety behaviors. Key interview constructs included becoming and being short of food; coping strategies; decisions used to inform choice of strategies; and managing a devalued social status. Improved income stability was a necessary condition for improving food security.

Conditions

  • Food Insecurity

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Coping Strategies

Coping strategies for households in the US with food insecurity

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • RTI International

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Andrea Anater, Ph.D. · RTI International

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2012-05-31
Primary Completion
2014-12-31
Completion
2014-12-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02767141 on ClinicalTrials.gov