# Psychosocial and Academic Implications of Food Insecurity Among International Students: A Qualitative Study in Hungary

## TL;DR

This study explores how food insecurity affects the mental health and academic performance of international students in Hungary.

## Contribution

The study provides new qualitative insights into the psychosocial and academic impacts of food insecurity among international students.

## Key findings

- Food insecurity among international students leads to stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
- Academic challenges include difficulty concentrating and reduced performance due to food insecurity.
- Students often sacrifice their studies for work to manage financial burdens caused by food insecurity.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Recent research suggests that international students are particularly susceptible to food insecurity (FI). Yet very few studies have qualitatively examined their experiences with FI and its impacts on their health and well-being. Therefore, our study sought to address this research gap by exploring the psychosocial and academic challenges linked to FI among international students in Hungary. Methods: A qualitative approach using semi-structured, in-depth, one-on-one interviews was carried out from 31 July to 15 November 2024 with 15 international students studying at the University of Debrecen, Hungary. Qualitative data were analyzed using a general inductive approach with the aid of NVivo 11 software. Results: International students discussed five themes regarding the psychosocial implications of FI: stress and anxiety, sadness and depression, anger and frustration, guilt over financial burden, and social isolation. In terms of academic impact, four themes were mentioned: difficulty concentrating, sacrificing studies for work, diminished academic performance, and a loss of motivation and interest in their studies. Conclusions: This study enriches our understanding of the lived experiences of FI among international students. The findings may help shape targeted interventions that align with their needs.