Exploring the Management of Food Insecurity Among Adolescent Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangkok: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted global food systems through border closures, supply chain delays, and economic hardship, thereby exacerbating food insecurity, particularly among vulnerable populations such as adolescent mothers. These adolescent mothers face compounded socio-economic challenges that directly impact their access to food, nutrition, and health. In Thailand, the complexity of food insecurity is further intensified by the limitations of targeted policy measures and the lack of comprehensive health data on adolescent mothers during times of crisis. Most existing studies have primarily focused on the general population or adult mothers, resulting in a significant gap in understanding the unique vulnerabilities, coping mechanisms, and management strategies employed by adolescent mothers in urban contexts. 

Objective This study aims to explore food insecurity management strategies of adolescent mothers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. 

Design This study employed a qualitative descriptive research design, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, which conceptualizes human development as occurring within nested subsystems, namely the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. This framework highlights how individual experiences are influenced by interactions within the contexts of family, community, society, and time. Additionally, the study integrates the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) four dimensions of food security, including availability, access, utilization, and stability, to explain the multifaceted aspects of food insecurity. 

Methodology The study participants consisted of 15 postpartum adolescent mothers aged 15–19 years, recruited from a tertiary hospital in Bangkok through purposive sampling based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected through three rounds of in-depth interviews with each participant, guided by a semi-structured interview protocol that had been content-validated by three experts. Additional data were obtained through field notes. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached, at which point no new themes emerged in the final interviews. The data were analyzed using content analysis to interpret the participants’ experiences and strategies for managing food insecurity within the context of a public health crisis. 

Results Content analysis revealed four major themes: 1) Food Shortages: Relying on Relatives and Online Services; 2) Allocating and Sharing Income: budgeting and prioritizing food essentials; 3) Choosing Food, Choosing Sources, Choosing What to Eat; and 4) Stockpiling, Prioritizing, and Preserving Food: securing short- and long-term food stability. These themes align with the four dimensions of food security as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): availability, access, utilization, and stability. Cultural beliefs and community support systems played a significant role in shaping the participants’ responses to food insecurity during the crisis. 

Recommendation This study emphasizes the critical role of family support in managing food insecurity among postpartum adolescent mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. While various coping strategies such as budgeting, food sharing, and the use of traditional practices contributed to resilience and adaptive capacity during the crisis, limitations in dietary diversity were still evident. These findings highlight an initial need for targeted policy development aimed at enhancing access to resources, strengthening family and community networks, and promoting culturally appropriate nutrition education. Furthermore, integrating adolescent mothers into future crisis preparedness plans is essential. Additional research is recommended to explore the long-term impacts and to develop sustainable support mechanisms.