Research Report: Experience of Food Insecurity and Its Effect on the Psychosocial Well-Being of School-Aged Children in Damot Gale Woreda, South Ethiopia

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the psychosocial experience of children living in food insecure family. Among the 328 total population, one hundered (100) are involved in the study. These participants were only involved in the quantitative data gathering process. Additionally, 28 participants are involved in the semi-structured interview and focus group discussion. Mixed approaches (quantitative and qualitative methods) has employed in the study. Descriptive statistics like percentage, mean and standard deviation; and independent t – test used to analyze the quantitative data, whereas summarization and direct quoting used to analyze the qualitative data. Children in food insecure households have common problems like - aggressive behaviors, misconduct behaviors (i.e. cheating, stealing and disrespecting the elders), depression, feeling shame and poor interpersonal relationship. Additionally, children experience behaviors like - gambling, robbery, murder or homicide, school absenteeism, hot emotionality, inferiority, insomnia, stigma and discrimination. The older children (13 – 18) are more experience depressive behavioral and interpersonal relationship problems than the younger children (6-12) are. Maternal depression, parenting style (autocratic parenting style), parental carelessness to fulfill children’s basic needs, children’s current dressing styles, health conditions; tasks, duties and responsibilities that are beyond the children’s capacity are the basic reasons that push children to experience the psychological and social problems. Beside the physical consequences of food insecurity, it has great effect on the children’s psychological and social wellbeing. Working in poverty reduction rather than heavily relying on food aids, using inclusive methods of research, using inclusive psychosocial care and support strategies, establishing community and institution based care and support and expert based intervention on the children’s misconduct behaviors are suggested direction to overcome children’s problems.