Premium
Is social capital associated with food security in food pantry users?
Author(s) -
Chhabra Surbhi,
Hale Robyn,
Holben David H.,
Faciglia Grace,
Vaughn Lisa M.,
Lee Seung-Yeon
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.631.4
Subject(s) - social capital , food security , food insecurity , sample (material) , perception , social support , psychology , supplemental nutrition assistance program , business , environmental health , medicine , political science , social psychology , geography , agriculture , chemistry , archaeology , chromatography , neuroscience , law
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between food security, social capital and social support in urban food pantry users in Cincinnati, OH. Fifty four in‐person interviews were completed with food pantry users using the 18‐item US Household Food Security Survey Module, a 38‐item social capital questionnaire, and a 23‐item social support questionnaire. More than half of the participants (aged 50.5 ± 9.05yr) were male (55.6%) and Black American (88.9%). Most participants (81%) were food insecure and 68.5% reported that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was their primary source to buy food. The participants were asked to list up to 10 significant people who provided personal support. The average number of people listed was 4.9 ± 2.4 and included immediate family members (49.0%), friends (24.3%), and relatives (10.8%). Social capital was assessed at subconstructs of trust, networks, cooperation, community involvement, and self‐perception using a response range from 1 to 4. The score was highest for self‐perception (3.2±0.64) and lowest for community involvement (2.2±0.61). There was no significant association between food security and social capital (p=0.249). The finding may be due to a small sample size. It will be important to examine the relationships with a larger sample. Startup funding by University Research Council, University of Cincinnati Grant Funding Source : None