The Hunger to Belong: Student Identity and Belonging Mediate the Relationship Between Social Class and Food Insecurity Among University Students

Abstract

Despite growing awareness and efforts to improve adequate food access, the prevalence of food insecurity among university students continues to rise. Research has consistently demonstrated that food insecurity is more likely to be experienced by students facing immediate financial hardship. However, to date, little research has investigated students' social class background and associated lack of psychosocial resources as risk factors for food insecurity. Recognizing the exclusionary nature of universities for students from lower-class backgrounds, we propose a novel social identity-based approach to understanding food insecurity experiences at university. We conducted two cross-sectional online surveys in 2020 with convenience samples of Australian students (Study 1 N = 2,666; Study 2 N = 177) to explore student identity and sense of belonging to university as mediators of the relationship between social class and food insecurity. In both studies, we found that lower social class was associated with increased risk for experiencing food insecurity, and that this relationship was serially mediated through reduced student identity and belonging. In Study 2, over half of students were experiencing food insecurity, yet fewer than a quarter had accessed any campus support services. Study 2 also found the serial mediation via identification and belonging was contingent on controlling for COVID-19's impact on students. These findings highlight the importance of student identity and belonging as key drivers of food (in)security that might be harnessed to improve university student outcomes. We suggest that beyond financial and material support, universities must cultivate inclusive environments where students feel psychologically connected, else they are unlikely to utilize such supports even when needed.