Beymer Matthew R, Rabbitt Matthew P
Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen (formerly U.S. Army Public Health Center), Behavioral and Social Health Outcomes Practice, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Kansas City, MO, USA.
J Interpers Violence. 2025 Feb;40(3-4):564-581. doi: 10.1177/08862605241253024. Epub 2024 May 28.
Food insecurity in the military ranges between 25% and 33%, significantly higher than the 10.5% for civilians reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the association between food insecurity and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among U.S. Army Soldiers. The secondary objective is to determine if there are any moderating effects in the relationship between food insecurity and IPV victimization by demographic, financial, and mental health covariates. A cross-sectional, online survey was administered by the U.S. Army Public Health Center at an Army installation in 2019; 56% of respondents reported that they were married or in a relationship ( = 2,740). The main predictor was the two-item food insecurity screener (Hunger Vital Signs), which measures marginal food insecurity (encompassing marginal, low, and very low food security). The main outcome was IPV victimization as measured by the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream scale. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between marginal food insecurity and IPV victimization, controlling for demographic, financial, and mental health covariates. In a multivariable model, marginally food insecure respondents had 2.05-fold greater adjusted odds of reporting any IPV victimization when compared to highly food secure respondents (95% confidence interval [1.40, 3.00]). The only interaction that was statistically significant was between anxiety and food insecurity on IPV victimization ( = .0034). Interactions by soldier's military rank, birth sex, and race and ethnicity were not statistically significant. IPV has implications for the emotional and physical health of survivors. In addition, service members who are food insecure may experience similar decrements in emotional and physical health due to suboptimal nutrient intake. By addressing both food insecurity and IPV, the military has the potential to increase the overall well-being of its service members and their dependents.
军队中的粮食不安全率在25%至33%之间，显著高于美国农业部报告的平民10.5%的比率。本研究的主要目的是分析美国陆军士兵中粮食不安全与亲密伴侣暴力（IPV）受害情况之间的关联。次要目的是确定人口统计学、财务和心理健康协变量在粮食不安全与IPV受害关系中是否存在任何调节作用。2019年，美国陆军公共卫生中心在一个陆军驻地进行了一项横断面在线调查；56%的受访者表示他们已婚或处于恋爱关系中（n = 2740）。主要预测指标是两项粮食不安全筛查工具（饥饿生命体征），该工具衡量边缘性粮食不安全（包括边缘、低和极低粮食安全）。主要结果是通过伤害、侮辱、威胁、尖叫量表衡量的IPV受害情况。采用多元逻辑回归来评估边缘性粮食不安全与IPV受害之间的关联，并控制人口统计学、财务和心理健康协变量。在一个多变量模型中，与粮食安全程度高的受访者相比，边缘性粮食不安全的受访者报告任何IPV受害情况的调整后几率高2.05倍（95%置信区间[1.40, 3.00]）。唯一具有统计学意义的交互作用是焦虑与粮食不安全对IPV受害情况的交互作用（p = 0.0034）。士兵的军衔、出生性别以及种族和族裔的交互作用没有统计学意义。IPV对幸存者的情绪和身体健康有影响。此外，粮食不安全的军人可能由于营养摄入不足而在情绪和身体健康方面出现类似的下降。通过解决粮食不安全和IPV问题，军队有可能提高其军人及其家属的整体幸福感。
