Developing a Scale to Measure Willingness to Seek Food-Related Assistance: Insights from a College Population

Abstract

Background: College campuses have implemented food pantries and basic needs programs to support students’ well-being and promote food security. However, barriers associated with use persist. Understanding help-seeking behaviors and an individual’s willingness to seek food-related assistance is essential to inform programming and advance food security research. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a scale measuring an individual’s willingness to seek help from various people and resources during a period of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. 

Methods: Scale development occurred in three phases: expert panel evaluation, cognitive interviews for feedback and refinement, and online survey administration (n=1093), alongside the United States Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Survey Module. Chi-squared tests analyzed associations between willingness and categorical variables. Pearson’s linear regressions were used to explore relationships between food security, socio-demographic characteristics, and willingness scores.

Results: Food insecurity was negatively associated with Willingness Scale scores (ß= -0.018, p = 0.04). The very low food security group had the most individuals classified as unwilling (p < 0.01). Willingness to seek help from one’s circle of support was the most preferred source of assistance across all food security groups. Although social media was the least favorable source of support, those with very low food security were the most willing to seek assistance through social media (22.3%). 

Conclusion: The findings from this study emphasize the importance of an individual’s circle of support in improving food access and contribute to a broader understanding of the relationship between food security and food access use.