Faculty Presentations Faculty Presentations: Uloma Onubogu

Intersection and Moderating Effects Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity In Young Adult Females

Full list of poster authors

• Uloma Onubogu, PhD, MSN, MSEd., AGNP-BC, FNP-BC

Conference where poster was previously displayed

Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS) Conference, 2025

Poster abstract

Food insecurity is prevalent in the US and worsens with intimate partner violence (IPV). Although the bi-directional relationship between food insecurity and IPV is recognized as a significant problem impacting families, their specific intersections in young adult females remain underexplored. Factors such as limited economic resources, poor social support, and feeling stressed, may be exacerbated in abusive relationships, exposing victims to the vulnerability of low food security. 

Factors impacting food security (FS) within the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) were investigated in this cross-sectional study. A secondary analysis was conducted with a sample of 475 young adult females in the US, measuring FS, IPV, current stress, social/emotional support, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Analysis using a moderation regression model assessed the main effects of IPV on FS. The moderating role of sociodemographic elements and psychological distress in food insecurity and relationships with health outcomes were explored. 

Food security significantly correlated with IPV (r = .351), stress (r = .369), household income (r = .272), support (r = -.344), depression (r = -.379), and HRQoL (r = .378). The relationship between FS and IPV was negatively moderated by stress (p = .012) and income (p<.001).

The combined effects of stress, low income, and partner abuse on food security can be detrimental to the overall well-being of young adult females. Interventions to mitigate food insecurity among young adult females should incorporate attention to abusive partner effects such as stress.