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
Kathrine E. Wright, Julie Lucero, Jenanne Ferguson, Michelle L. Granner, Paul G. Devereux, Jennifer Pearson, Eric Crosbie
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).