Economic Hardship and Mental and Physical Health in Social Work Students: Food, Housing, and Student Loan Burden

Abstract

Economic hardship is prevalent among college students and poses significant risks to health and academic success. This cross-sectional study examined associations between food insecurity, housing insecurity, and educational loan reliance and two health outcomes—depressive symptoms and self-rated physical health—among 125 undergraduate and graduate social work students at a Midwestern public university. Nearly half of students experienced food insecurity (46.4%) or housing insecurity (44.8%), and 70.4% relied on educational loans. In bivariate analyses, all three hardship indicators were associated with higher depressive symptoms and poorer self-rated health. In multivariate regression models, loan reliance remained independently associated with depressive symptoms, while food insecurity was the primary predictor of poorer self-rated health. Housing insecurity did not retain significance in multivariate analyses, suggesting its effects may operate through co-occurring food insecurity or loan-related strain. These findings underscore the importance of addressing food insecurity, housing instability, and educational debt as interrelated social determinants of student health. Institutions should prioritize accessible basic needs programming, emergency financial resources, and mental health services to support financially vulnerable students. Future longitudinal research is needed to clarify causal pathways and evaluate the effectiveness of university-based interventions targeting economic hardship and student well-being.