The relationship among social support, food insecurity and mental health for adults with severe mental illness and type 2 diabetes: A survey study.

OBJECTIVE

People living with severe mental illness are at increased risk of medical comorbidity as well as poverty, food insecurity, and inadequate social support in managing their mental and physical health conditions. Lack of access to sufficient food negatively affects a person's ability to manage health conditions, in particular diabetes, which is twice as common among people with severe mental illness as the general population. This study aimed to explore associations among food insecurity, social support, and psychiatric symptoms among adults with severe mental illness and diabetes.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and May 2021 among adults ( = 156) with severe mental illness and type 2 diabetes who received primary care through a large academic health-care system (26% response rate). Valid and reliable questionnaires were implemented to measure food insecurity, social support, and mental health. Regression analysis was applied to examine the associations between food security status, social support, and mental health.

RESULTS

Food insecurity and social support are both correlated with psychiatric symptom severity. Specifically, support from family members has the largest protective role against food insecurity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study found food insecurity is likely a critical issue to address whenever it is present in adults with severe mental illness (SMI) and type 2 diabetes. The presence of family support mitigates the need for addressing food insecurity. Practices and policies aimed at both addressing health inequities such as food insecurity and strengthening family support among people living with SMI and comorbid medical conditions are important adjuncts to self-management interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).