Examining the dynamics of food insecurity, stress, and social networks in recent Afghan refugees in the U.S.

Bergeron, Elizabeth

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Year:: 2023
Contributor:: Bergeron, Elizabeth (creator); Bulled, Nicola (Advisor); Risica, Patricia (Reader); Brown University. School of Public Health (sponsor)
Genre:: theses
Subject:: Political refugees; Social networks; Food security; Afghanistan
Extent:: , 45 p.

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Abstract:: Background: Now more than ever, humans are migrating at an unforeseen, rapid pace. While a portion of individuals migrate out of choice, a growing number of individuals migrate out of necessity. To further shift this global burden into perspective, the UNHCR declares that” by the end of 2021, 89.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations” (UNHCR, 2021). Due to a host of ongoing influences, including social isolation and socioeconomic barriers, stressors relating to the asylum-seeking process are widely associated with sub-optimal mental health outcomes, particularly stress (Li, 2016). Studies indicate that migration from low to high resource settings increases one’s likeliness of developing a malnutrition related disease. This is largely due to economic and cultural factors, such as dietary simplifications with overconsumption of high energy, low-cost, nutrient-poor products, and beverages (Dondi et al., 2020). Moreover, qualitative data suggests that community ties are paramount to sustaining refugees’ well-being. When agency and governmental support concludes, individuals heavily rely upon the following social structures to help bridge the support gap: family, friends, and churches (Agbényiga et al., 2012). On top of providing economic stability, social connectedness permits refugees to successfully utilize nutrition assistance programs as well as capitalize on community-level food scenes (Vu et al., 2020). Findings from this study offer insight into migrant experiences related to food insecurity, how such experiences impact stress levels, and how developing certain social networks structures can mitigate the harms. Methods: Participants were recruited through respondent driven sampling as well as connections forged among non-governmental organizations designed to support refugee resettlement. In addition to utilizing a perceived stress scale as well as a monthly food insecurity measurement tool, social network analyses helped determine correlations between the effect of disrupted foodways on well-being and impact of specific social network structures. Results: 55.56% of participants felt nervous or stressed in the past month. However, 66.67% of survey participants did not worry that their household would not have enough food within the past month. Half of the sample experienced higher stress levels due to a host of influences related to the resettlement process and a lack of social support. Results suggest that the following themes pose barriers to maintaining healthy stress levels: Security; Nostalgia for loved ones residing in Afghanistan; Restrictive government-funding as barriers to achieving self-sufficiency; Language and cultural divide. Although social network structures vary depending upon the individual, it is evident that as the time since fleeing Afghanistan increases, the likelihood of forging local connections rises. Conclusion: Since most participants are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), achieving English literacy, and maintaining contact with local refugee agencies came forth as more pressing obstacles. Despite the economic strains and emotional turmoil that follow the integration process, participants find that security trumps any arising concern. Ultimately, social connections diminished stress levels and broadened access to key resources. References: Agbényiga, DeBrenna LaFa, et al. “Expanding Our Community: Independent and Interdependent Factors Impacting Refugee Successful Community Resettlement.” Advances in Social Work, 31 May 2012, https://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/view/1956. Dondi A, et al. “Food Insecurity and Major Diet-Related Morbidities in Migrating Children: A Systematic Review.” Nutrients. 2020; 12(2):379. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020379 Li, S.S.Y., Liddell, B.J. & Nickerson, A. The Relationship Between Post-Migration Stress and Psychological Disorders in Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Curr Psychiatry Rep 18, 82 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-016-0723-0 Milkie Vu, Ilana G Raskind, Cam Escoffery, Yotin Srivanjarean, Hyun Min Jang, Carla J Berg, Food insecurity among immigrants and refugees of diverse origins living in metropolitan Atlanta: the roles of acculturation and social connectedness, Translational Behavioral Medicine, Volume 10, Issue 6, December 2020, Pages 1330–1341, https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaa035 UNHCR. (2021). Figures at a Glance. https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html
Notes:: Thesis (M. P. H.)--Brown University, 2023

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Bergeron, Elizabeth, "Examining the dynamics of food insecurity, stress, and social networks in recent Afghan refugees in the U.S." (2023). Public Health Theses and Dissertations. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:5cem2fgr/

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Public Health Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations for the Public Health department.
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