Abstract
Objective To investigate whether adolescents living in households with food insecurity have poorer parent-reported mental health (MH) than peers. Methods We analyzed cross-sectional data from ∼8600 adolescents who participated in the 2007 (8th grade) wave of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten. Household food insecurity (HFI) was assessed by parental report on the 18-item US Household Food Security Scale. Total Difficulties score >13 on the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) indicated problems with adolescent MH. SDQ subscale scores (Emotional, Conduct, Hyperactivity, Peer Problems) were also calculated. Associations between HFI and MH were explored in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Interactions of HFI and gender and HFI and receipt of free/reduced-price school lunch were analyzed with regard to problems with MH. Results A total of 10.2% of adolescents lived with HFI; 11.2% had SDQ >13. Adolescents with HFI had higher rates of overall MH problems (28.7% vs 9.2%), emotional problems (21.6% vs 6.6%), conduct problems (26.5% vs 11.6%), hyperactivity (22.4% vs 11.3%), and peer problems (19.8% vs 8.6%) (all P
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 90-96 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Academic Pediatrics |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2016 |
Keywords
- adolescent
- food insecurity
- mental health
- parent report
- Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health