Description
- Abstract:
- Abstract of: “I just feel no matter what you lack, nobody should be treated differently”: Understanding Discrimination in Food Assistance Programs, by Sarah Blau, MPH, Brown University, May 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated racial and ethnic disparities in household food insecurity. Food assistance programs and temporary pandemic relief measures alleviated some of the food insecurity burden that families have experienced. However, participation in some key programs remains low. Discrimination, including racism, xenophobia and social stigma related to food assistance, could deter participation. Research to understand the experiences of discrimination in relation to food assistance remains limited. This convergent parallel mixed-methods study utilized data from The University of Michigan’s Feeding MI Families study. Participants (n=286) completed a 47-question survey conducted via text messaging. The outcome, discrimination, was defined according to participants’ experience of judgment and mistreatment. Two closed ended questions assessed whether participants had experienced judgment and mistreatment related to food assistance program participation. One open-ended question asked participants to share their experiences of discrimination related to food assistance programs. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to analyze predictors. Open-ended responses were analyzed using thematic coding to select themes. Forty percent of participants reported judgment related to food assistance programs. White participants were over two times more likely to report judgment compared to Black participants in all adjusted models. Five themes were selected from open-ended responses. First, perceived program weaknesses functioned as a form of discrimination. Second, stereotypes related to social support programs existed as a form of interpersonal judgment. Third, judgment elicited emotional responses, suggesting a damaging impact on participants. Participants resisted stereotypes, asserting their right to access programs. Finally, participants provided tangible policy solutions related to expansion of programs. Over one third of participants reported experiencing judgment or mistreatment related to food assistance. The logistic regression challenged initial expectations related to race and ethnicity. However, qualitative responses reveal the harmful impact of discrimination. Participants articulated policy solutions that could address discrimination at a systemic level. This study emphasizes the importance of examining the predictors of discrimination, particularly related to race and ethnicity.
- Notes:
- Thesis (M. P. H.)--Brown University, 2023
Citation
Blau, Sarah,
"'I just feel no matter what you lack, nobody should be treated differently': Understanding Discrimination in Food Assistance Programs"
(2023).
Public Health Theses and Dissertations.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:qsmbxnkf/
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Collection:
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Public Health Theses and Dissertations
Theses and Dissertations for the Public Health department....