Leonard H Epstein1, Noelle Jankowiak1, Henry Lin1, Rocco Paluch1, Mikhail N Koffarnus1, Warren K Bickel1. 1. From the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo. NY (LHE, NJ, HL, and RP), and the Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA (MNK and WKB).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Low income is related to food insecurity, and research has suggested that a scarcity of resources associated with low income can shift attention to the present, thereby discounting the future. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether attending to the present and discounting the future may moderate the influence of income on food insecurity. DESIGN: Delay discounting and measures of future time perspective (Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, Consideration of Future Consequences Scale, time period of financial planning, and subjective probability of living to age 75 y) were studied as moderators of the relation between income and food insecurity in a diverse sample of 975 adults, 31.8% of whom experienced some degree of food insecurity. RESULTS: Income, financial planning, subjective probability of living to age 75 y, and delay discounting predicted food insecurity as well as individuals who were high in food insecurity. Three-way interactions showed that delay discounting interacted with financial planning and income to predict food insecurity (P = 0.003). At lower levels of income, food insecurity was lowest for subjects who had good financial planning skills and did not discount the future, whereas having good financial skills and discounting the future had minimal influence on food insecurity. The same 3-way interaction was observed when high food insecurity was predicted (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Because of the role of scarce resources on narrowing attention and reducing prospective thinking, research should address whether modifying future orientation may reduce food insecurity even in the face of diminishing financial resources.
BACKGROUND: Low income is related to food insecurity, and research has suggested that a scarcity of resources associated with low income can shift attention to the present, thereby discounting the future. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether attending to the present and discounting the future may moderate the influence of income on food insecurity. DESIGN: Delay discounting and measures of future time perspective (Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, Consideration of Future Consequences Scale, time period of financial planning, and subjective probability of living to age 75 y) were studied as moderators of the relation between income and food insecurity in a diverse sample of 975 adults, 31.8% of whom experienced some degree of food insecurity. RESULTS: Income, financial planning, subjective probability of living to age 75 y, and delay discounting predicted food insecurity as well as individuals who were high in food insecurity. Three-way interactions showed that delay discounting interacted with financial planning and income to predict food insecurity (P = 0.003). At lower levels of income, food insecurity was lowest for subjects who had good financial planning skills and did not discount the future, whereas having good financial skills and discounting the future had minimal influence on food insecurity. The same 3-way interaction was observed when high food insecurity was predicted (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Because of the role of scarce resources on narrowing attention and reducing prospective thinking, research should address whether modifying future orientation may reduce food insecurity even in the face of diminishing financial resources.
Authors: Candice A Myers; Robbie A Beyl; Corby K Martin; Stephanie T Broyles; Peter T Katzmarzyk Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2020-06-29 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: Seth A Berkowitz; Linda M Delahanty; Jean Terranova; Barbara Steiner; Melanie P Ruazol; Roshni Singh; Naysha N Shahid; Deborah J Wexler Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2018-11-12 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Mark A Celio; James MacKillop; Amy J Caswell; Nadine R Mastroleo; Christopher W Kahler; Nancy P Barnett; Suzanne M Colby; Don Operario; Peter M Monti Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2016-02-18 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Christine E Sheffer; James Mackillop; Arislenia Fernandez; Darren Christensen; Warren K Bickel; Matthew W Johnson; Luana Panissidi; Jami Pittman; Christopher T Franck; Jarrett Williams; Merlin Mathew Journal: Behav Processes Date: 2016-05-11 Impact factor: 1.777