Browsing by Author "Long, Lauren Christine"

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Food security and family well-being
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2007) Long, Lauren Christine; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Bethany L. Letiecq
Each year, millions of individuals in the United States experience hunger yet can not afford to obtain food. This feeling of hunger and uncertain ability to obtain food can have many consequences including food insecurity. Food insecurity is a growing problem which has severe implications for the individual and family. Among these implications are parental depression and child behavior problems. Additionally, there is increasing research pertaining to the uniqueness of rural locales and the increased risk for food insecurity in these areas. Although there is a growing body of literature examining food insecurity, no studies exist that examine the relationships between food insecurity, maternal depression, and child behavior among low-income families residing in rural locales. To shed light on this topic, this study examined the ways in which food insecurity-and varying levels of food insecurity-related to maternal depression and child behavior problems. This study also examined these variables as a function of rurality. And lastly, this study examined the combined effect of rurality and food insecurity on maternal depression and child behavior problems. Sixty-seven low income women were surveyed at either the local Food Bank or the Head Start program using a convenience sample.