Food insecurity is a significant public health issue that affects the physical and mental health of people of all ages. Higher levels of self-efficacy may reduce levels of food insecurity. In addition, acculturation is potentially an important factor for food insecurity among immigrant populations. The purpose of this study is to examine food insecurity associated with self-efficacy and acculturation among low-income primary care patients in the United States. A self-administered survey was administered in May and June 2015 to uninsured primary care patients (N = 551) utilizing a free clinic that provides free primary care services to low-income uninsured individuals and families in the United States. On average, participants reported low food security. Higher levels of self-efficacy were associated with lower levels of food insecurity. Higher levels of heritage language proficiency were related to lower levels of food insecurity. US-born English speakers, women, and unmarried individuals potentially have higher risks of food insecurity and may need interventions to meet their specific needs. Self-efficacy should be included in nutrition education programs to reduce the levels of food insecurity. Future studies should further examine why these groups have a high risk to better understand needs for interventions.
US-born English speakers, non-US-born English speakers, and Spanish speakers reported different coping strategies, and therefore, may have different needs for addressing depression. In particular, US-born English speakers need interventions for reducing substance use and negative psychological coping strategies.
Health education programs for free clinic patients should include strategies to increase social cohesion. Health education programs should consider the diverse needs of these individual populations to maximize the effectiveness of the programs for free clinic patients.
Purpose
Little is known about low-income immigrant parents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with their parenting. The purpose of this paper is to examine low-income immigrant parents’ HRQoL, depression and stress.
Design/methodology/approach
In the spring of 2015, English speaking and Spanish speaking low-income uninsured immigrant parents utilizing a free clinic (N=182) completed a self-administered survey using standardized measures of parental HRQoL, stress and depression.
Findings
Immigrant parents’ HRQoL related to parenting was lower than general primary care patients. Higher levels of depression and stress were associated with lower levels of parental HRQoL and family functioning. Spanish speakers were significantly more likely to worry about their child’s health or future compared to English speakers.
Originality/value
While both English and Spanish speaking immigrant parents may need assistance addressing the health-related needs of their child, Spanish speakers may be a target audience for outreach programs. It is possible that by improving the health of their child, immigrant parents may see improvement in their own HRQoL and reductions in their levels of stress and depression. Future research should develop parenting classes for low-income immigrant parents targeting the potential health needs of their children, and assess the efficacy of the classes in improving child health and parental HRQoL.
Obesity is associated with a number of chronic health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. While common prevention and treatment strategies to control unhealthy weight gain tend to target behaviors and lifestyles, the psychological factors which affect eating behaviors among underserved populations also need to be further addressed and included in practice implementations. The purpose of this study is to examine positive and negative emotional valence about food among underserved populations in a primary care setting. Uninsured primary care patients (N = 621) participated in a self-administered survey from September to December in 2015. Higher levels of perceived benefits of healthy food choice were associated with lower levels of a negative emotional valence about food while higher levels of perceived barriers to healthy food choice are related to higher levels of a negative emotional valence about food. Greater acceptance of motivation to eat was associated with higher levels of positive and negative emotional valence about food. Spanish speakers reported greater acceptance of motivation to eat and are more likely to have a negative emotional valence about food than US born or non-US born English speakers. The results of this study have important implications to promote healthy eating among underserved populations at a primary care setting. Healthy food choice or healthy eating may not always be achieved by increasing knowledge. Psychological interventions should be included to advance healthy food choice.
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