Understanding the Cumulative Burden of Basic Needs Insecurities: Associations With Health and Academic Achievement Among College Students

Abstract

Purpose:

Food insecurity is a concern on college campuses and is correlated with other basic needs insecurities. We examined the cumulative burden of food, financial, and housing insecurities on college students’ health and academic performance.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

Large, public Midwestern university.

Sample:

A total of 793 college students completed an online survey in 2018 (43% response rate).

Measures:

Food, financial, and housing insecurity were measured using validated instruments. Primary outcomes were general health status, anxiety and depression, and grade point average (GPA).

Analysis:

Weighted linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between cumulative basic needs insecurities and primary outcomes.

Results:

Approximately 11% of students experienced all 3 insecurities. Compared to fully secure students, students with all 3 insecurities were more likely to have anxiety and depression (odds ratio [OR] = 4.65, 95% CI: 4.31-5.01), fair/poor health (OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 3.73-4.42), and lower GPA (β = −0.19, 95% CI: −0.30 to −0.09), adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.

Conclusion:

Interventions that address multiple basic needs insecurities are needed to promote college students’ well-being and foster academic success.