Coming to College Hungry: How Food Insecurity Relates to Amotivation, Stress, Engagement, and First-Semester Performance in a Four-Year University

Abstract

This exploratory inferential, single-university study (N=700) joined institutional, external, and survey data to examine how first-year students’ food insecurity links to non-cognitive attributes, first-semester performance, and persistence. Regressions indicate LGBTQ, multi-racial, international, transfer, and first-generation students exhibit increased food insecurity. Food insecurity linked with psychological distress, financial stress, amotivation, and intent to engage with peers but not to faculty, staff, and academic engagement. Food insecurity is also associated with lower first-semester grade point average and credits earned. Findings strengthen limited evidence that food insecurity links to both college students’ experience and outcomes, suggesting groups of already-underserved students may need immediate support to ease food insecurity. The 6-item United States Department of Agriculture food security scale should become a standard part of arrival at college to help universities provide early support.