Social Support and Food Security in Iowa Residents with MS
A study with 34 Iowa residents with MS examined the relationship between food security, social support, and mental quality of life (QOL). Although food security did not show differing impacts between rural and urban participants, it was inversely linked to lower mental QOL. Social support from family and friends was positively associated with better mental QOL.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Not graded
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
Understanding how food security and social support affect mental QOL in MS patients can guide future interventions to improve their well-being.
What this does not prove
Further research is warranted with a larger sample size to explore the influence of food security and social support on improving mental QOL.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-03-02
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Iowa residents with MS
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceInfluence of Food Security and Social Support on Quality of Life Among Rural and Urban Iowans With Multiple Sclerosis: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study. ↗DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2024-068
Supporting passages (7)
sample size basisThirty-four Iowa residents with MS participated (11 rural; 23 urban).
publication date2026-03-02
limitationsFurther research is warranted with a larger sample size to explore the influence of food security and social support on improving mental QOL.
populationIowa residents with MS
findingsRESULTS: Thirty-four Iowa residents with MS participated (11 rural; 23 urban). Although the impact of food security on QOL did not differ between rural and urban participants, food security was inversely associated with lower mental QOL (r = -0.63; P < .001). Greater social support from family (SSES family participation; r = 0.43; P = .02) and friends (SSES friend participation; r = 0.39; P = .04) was linked to improved mental QOL. Qualitative findings supported these results and highlighted contextual differences in social support and food access between rural and urban residents.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
subjectsSemistructured interviews further explored participants' perceptions of QOL, with a focus on food security, social support, and QOL.
AI assessment, not yet reviewed by a person · version 1 · Community votes are separate from evidence review.