The influence of cultural food security on cultural identity and well-being: a qualitative comparison between second-generation American and international students in the United States

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of cultural food insecurity on identity and well-being in second-generation American and international university students. Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted from January–April 2020. Audio transcripts were analyzed using continuous and abductive thematic analysis. Students indicated that cultural foodways enhanced their well-being by facilitating their cultural/ethnic identity maintenance, connection, and expression. Conversely, cultural food insecurity diminished student well-being due to reduced cultural anchors, highlighting the importance of cultural food in this population. Universities that reduce cultural foodways barriers may mitigate cultural food insecurity for second-generation American and international university students. (100/100)

KEYWORDS:

• Food Security
• culture
• identity
• well-being
• student

Notes

1. This term is used to characterize individuals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who were born outside the United States (U.S.) to non-U.S. citizens (Arbeit and Staklis 2016).