Connecting for success: Egocentric network types among underrepresented minority students at college

• Published in: Social networks Vol. 72; pp. 35 - 43
• Main Authors: Lukács J., Ágnes, Dávid, Beáta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Adjustment to college; Egocentric network; Minority students; Mobility patterns; Social adjustment; Social capital; Adjustment to college; Egocentric network; Social adjustment; Mobility patterns; Minority students; Social capital
• ISSN: 0378-8733; 1879-2111
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socnet.2022.09.002

This study investigates the egocentric networks of underrepresented minority students. Adjustment to college for underrepresented minority students often means balancing between the origin (i.e., low-status family) and host (i.e., academic) environments, requiring students to develop different coping strategies. The analysis included 124 Roma university students. We employed the contact diary method and the EgoNet program for mapping students’ egocentric networks. We explored classification among egocentric networks by cluster analysis based on the network proportion of the origin, fellow, and host groups. Three clusters were distinguished. The Host-based cluster proved to be the most advantageous, while the Balancing cluster appeared to be the most disadvantageous in terms of network resources, well-being, and trust. Partners’ ethnicity and educational attainment showed a strong connection with cluster membership. Our results highlight that small fellow communities can successfully interconnect the origin and host groups in students’ egocentric networks. •There are multiple strategies for underrepresented students’ adjustment to college.•This study investigates the egocentric networks of Roma university students.•Three clusters were distinguished: Fellow-based, Host-based, and Balancing cluster.•Partners’ ethnicity and level of education play a decisive role in network strategy.•Small fellow communities can interconnect the origin and host groups.