The Lived Experiences of Students With Food Allergies During a Usual Weekday.

Abstract

Extant literature indicates students living with food allergies (FA) experience biopsychosocial challenges (eg, social isolation, anxiety). The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of students living with FA during a usual weekday in a school setting. Phenomenological study with purposive convenience sample from the US states of Florida and Colorado. Students aged 10-14 years who have been managing an IgE-mediated FA for more than 1 year within a school setting. Data collection was guided by a story path process with semi-structured interview, with Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis used to ascribe meaning to their experiences. Four themes: (1) Living with Restraints: A Way of Life, (2) Managing Exposure, (3) Experiencing Stigma, and (4) Experiencing Lack of Knowledge. Findings underscore unique biopsychosocial challenges faced by students living with FA, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches beyond traditional biological management in developing strategies, policies, future research, and recommendations in school settings.