Qualitative and quantitative research on a relationship between food security and well-being among students in Almaty city

Abstract

Purpose. The main aim of this paper to examine how well-being and food insecurity may affect by collectivism among university students in Almaty.

Participants. 35 college students were selected for qualitative in-depth interview. 244 undergraduate, graduate and PhD students from 5 universities participated in this study to check significant, validity and reliability in spring semester of 2023 for quantitative analysis.

Methods. Author used mixed method. Firstly, qualitative in-depth interview with based on the literature questions were taken. Then, the USDA 6-item food security module survey was used to measure food insecurity. The World Health Organization Five Factor Well-Being Index used to measure well-being of the students. To measure collectivism Communal Orientation Scale (COS) with 14-items were used.

Results. It was found that well-being positively effect on food security and their significance is high. While, collectivism negatively impact on their relation with high significance.