McNair Scholars Research Journal
Abstract
With the widening inability to access affordable and nutritious food, many people worldwide deal with food insecurity, especially children and adolescents. This raises concerns for the well-being of children in the United States because of the impact food insecurity has on the development of children and adolescents regarding psychopathology. Recent research suggests that maternal depression, household sensitivity, parenting styles, and the exposure to violence may be directly linked to or explain the relation between food insecurity and psychopathology. This paper critically reviews and synthesizes the existing evidence of the direct relation between food insecurity and psychopathology. Additionally, this paper explores the mediating roles of maternal depression, household dynamics, parenting styles, and exposure to violence in understanding this relationship. The findings from this review will contribute to the future implications in terms of initiatives and intervention for those who have experienced food insecurity and related psychopathology.