2023 | Track 2 | The Development of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention to Improve Mental Health Among Caregivers Experiencing Food Insecurity

TRACK 2 SEED GRANT | Whole Health Consortium

The Development of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention to Improve Mental Health Among Caregivers Experiencing Food Insecurity 

TEAM:

• Heather Davis, Psychology
  
• Sarah Misyak, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
• Elena Serrano, Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program 
• Samantha Harden, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
• Meaghan Butler, Federation of Virginia Food Banks

Individuals experiencing food insecurity are more likely than the general population to face mental health concerns and significant barriers to mental health treatment. Currently, a mental health intervention that is tailored and accessible to individuals experiencing food insecurity does not exist. We will address this critical gap by exploring needs/preferences for mental health treatment of caregivers of young children experiencing food insecurity, a group at high risk for mental health concerns. Because food insecurity is associated with shame, a potent correlate of various mental health concerns, we will obtain participant feedback on adaptations to Compassion Focused Therapy, which reduces mental health concerns by addressing shame. The resulting intervention will be brief, accessible, low-cost, and tailored to caregivers experiencing food insecurity. Future studies will translate, test, and allow scalability of the intervention in real-world settings that serve individuals experiencing food insecurity, such as nutrition education programs and food banks and pantries.