Date of Award
4-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Selected Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities
Department
Education
School
School of Education and Human Services
First Advisor
Dr. Joanna Alcruz
Second Advisor
Dr. Allison Roda
Third Advisor
Dr. Warren Whitaker
Abstract
Food is essential for life. It fuels growth, well-being, and stability. Yet, food insecurity -uncertain or inadequate access to sufficient food- remains a jarring reality for millions. In the U.S. alone, 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity despite government efforts. Addressing this crisis is essential for public health, socioeconomic progress, and societal welfare. This narrative study’s main objective was to understand the lived experiences of food-insecure families by examining how they navigate the challenges they face, their inventive coping mechanisms, and the insights they can provide for educators. While research has shown the adverse effects of food insecurity, there is a gap in the literature that investigates the lived experiences of parents, their coping mechanisms, and what they would like teachers to know to help and work with their children. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this study explores how different environmental factors—family, school, and community—converge to shape families' experiences with food insecurity. The results of this study were consistent with results from previous studies. Food insecurity has serious psychosocial ramifications, poses serious mental health problems, and raises questions of equity and social justice. Families reported that food insecurity is extremely stressful, impacting household dynamics and well-being. However, their resilience and perseverance were evident in their ability to adapt and employ creative strategies to provide for their children despite systemic barriers. The findings add to a body of knowledge that promotes social justice and equity and helps educational policymakers and educators gain insights into the lived experiences of their food-insecure students. Keywords: food insecurity, low socioeconomic households, coping mechanisms
Related Pillar(s)
Community, Service
Recommended Citation
Ngũgĩ, Ndũcũ, "Navigating Food Insecurity: Families’ Coping Strategies, Challenges, and Insights for Educators" (2025). Theses & Dissertations. 215.
https://digitalcommons.molloy.edu/etd/215
Included in
Education Commons, Psychology Commons, Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons
