The relationship between student generational status and college adjustment among Hispanic community college students

• Main Author: Watson, April Anita
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; College Administration; College Students; Community college education; Community Colleges; Educational Demand; Educational evaluation; First Generation College Students; Grade Point Average; High School Graduates; Hispanic American studies; Individual & family studies; School Holding Power
• ISBN: 1339643308; 9781339643304

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect generational status had on the overall college adjustment experiences of Hispanic community college students. A total of 75 Hispanic students enrolled in their 1st year of study at a comprehensive community college located in south Texas agreed to participate in the study after being recruited using a convenience sampling method. Participating students were asked to complete a brief demographic questionnaire and the self-report Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ). Mean difference scores across the 4 subscales of the SACQ were compared using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) design. The results of the MANOVA analysis indicated significant differences existing between first-generation and continuing-generation students on 2 of the 4 SACQ subscales, with social adjustment and institutional attachment being the only areas in which significant differences did not exist after applying the Bonferroni correction. Results are interpreted in terms of their impact on community college leaders’ efforts to retain and support minority students. In addition, considerations for future research are presented and discussed.