African American College Students Research Articles

Returning at Any Cost? How Black College Students’ Feel Toward COVID Vaccines and Institutional Mandates

Decades of research have found African Americans to be unfairly marginalized by healthcare systems. As U.S. colleges released their plans to re-open for in-person classes for the Fall 2021 semester and beyond, research is needed into how African American students view vaccine mandates, such as the one levied in March 2021 by Rutgers University and many other institutions. Subsequently, the purpose of this study is to explore how African American students feel regarding vaccine mandates and a return to in-person learning. In all, this survey study engaged with 180 African American college students currently enrolled in postsecondary education in the United States. Results suggest Black women are more comfortable with COVID-19 vaccinations than Black men, and Black women are more willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine to return to in-person learning on campus. Implications of this work outline how Black women may return to in-person higher education at greater numbers than Black men, perhaps further marginalizing Black men from higher education. Students with disabilities and students attending 4-year institutions also expressed the most discomfort and least likelihood to take a COVID-19 vaccine if it were mandated. Implications for equity and campus safety are addressed.

The Impact of Campus Residency on Retention of First-Generation African American College Students at Predominantly White Institutions

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of campus residency on the retention of first-generation, African American college student at PWIs. A sample of 20, full-time freshmen students participated in the study. The researchers used in-depth interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the impact campus residency is having on student retention. All information was self-reported by the participants. Limited research has been conducted on first-generation African American college students at Predominantly White Institutions. Study findings supported previous research in relation to on-campus housing and a sense of belonging. Study showed that campus residency had impacts on student’s retention as a result of their accessibility to academic support systems, extracurricular activities, importance of faculty and staff relationships, peer interactions, and a sense of belonging.

Religiosity and Family Functioning as Predictors of Hope and Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic among African American and Latinx College Students with Asthma

Being resilient and hopeful in the face of adversity can promote health and academic outcomes. We sought to determine whether religiosity and family functioning pre-pandemic predicted resilience and hope during the pandemic in a sample of 105 African American and Latinx college students with asthma (Mage = 19.09 years, SD = 1.01). Participants completed an online survey prior to the pandemic and one during the pandemic. In simple regressions, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, and asthma control, greater religious commitment, better family functioning, and less COVID-19 impact were associated with higher resilience scores. Only greater religious commitment was associated with higher hope scores. In a hierarchical regression predicting resilience from all variables, religiosity and family functioning were associated with resilience above and beyond COVID-19 impact and covariates. Findings highlight the importance of family functioning and religiosity—two cultural factors that are salient in African American and Latinx communities—in resiliency and hope.

The relationship between religious coping strategies to gain control and well-being among African American college students

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore if religious coping strategies to gain control were related to well-being in a sample of African American college students. An additional purpose was to determine how religious coping strategies were associated with facets of spirituality. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine if collaborative religious coping, active religious surrender, and self-directing religious coping positively predicted well-being, and passive religious deferral and pleading for direct intercession negatively predicted well-being. Results demonstrated pleading for direct intercession positively predicted well-being and self-directing religious coping negatively predicted well-being. Bivariate correlations also revealed religiousness and cognitive orientation towards spirituality were negatively related to collaborative religious coping, active religious surrender, pleading for direct intercession, and self-directing religious coping. These results may have important implications for understanding factors that impact well-being and coping strategy use among African American college students.

STRIVING TO SUCCEED: ETHNIC-RACIAL SOCIALIZATION AS AN ADAPTIVE MECHANISM FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Attending predominantly White institutions have been associated with certain challenges of academic success for African American college students. Although there are challenges, studies indicate that ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) may be an adaptive mechanism for African Americans. The current study investigates how ERS mitigates the effects of racial discrimination on the academic outcomes of 282 African Americans. Memories of school-related discrimination were negatively associated with academic outcomes, however, ERS dimensions were related to better academic outcomes. Certain ERS dimensions mitigate the effects of peer-related discrimination on academic engagement. Implications for utilizing ERS in university settings to enhance academic achievement are discussed.

Sex and ethnic/racial differences in disordered eating behaviors and intuitive eating among college student.

Eating behaviors encompass disordered eating behaviors (e.g., overeating, binge eating, and associated symptoms of binge eating) and intuitive eating. Certain disordered eating behaviors, including binge eating, are more prevalent among female and ethnic/racial-minority college students than male and/or non-Hispanic White college students. However, sex and ethnic/racial differences among college students with other disordered eating (e.g., associated symptoms of binge eating) and intuitive eating behaviors remain unclear. In 2022, 887 college students (Mage = 20.9 ± 2.6 years) self-reported their sex, ethnicity/race, disordered eating behaviors (e.g., overeating, binge eating, associated symptoms of binge eating), and intuitive eating. To examine sex and ethnic/racial differences among these students, we used modified Poisson regressions for students who reported disordered eating and linear regressions for students who reported intuitive eating. Except for overeating, disordered eating behaviors were more prevalent among female [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 1.3-1.8] than male college students after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, whereas intuitive eating scores did not differ by sex. Across ethnic/racial groups, disordered eating was more prevalent among all ethnic/racial-minority college students (aPR = 1.2-2.3) than non-Hispanic White college students after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Moreover, non-Hispanic Black or African American college students had higher intuitive eating scores than non-Hispanic White college students (adjusted β = 0.7, 95% CI = -0.2, 1.6). In our sample, notable differences emerged in the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors and mean scores by sex and ethnicity/race, while differences in intuitive eating scores emerged based on ethnicity/race.

Early onset marijuana use and suicidal ideation among African American college students

Between 2013 and 2019 the suicide rate for African American young persons 15–24 years of age rose by 47% for males and 59% for females. Presently, little is known about factors that contribute to the suicidal behavior of African Americans in late adolescence and emerging adulthood. However, considering the coinciding increase in high potency marijuana use among African American young persons and literature suggesting a potential link between marijuana use and suicidal behavior, we examined early onset marijuana use as a risk factor for suicidal ideation. The sample included 221African American students (70% female and M age = 20.3, SD = 1.97) attending an HBCU between 2019 and 2020. We employed multivariable logistic regression analysis that included suicidal ideation as the outcome variable and early onset marijuana use as the explanatory variable, while controlling for demographic factors and mental health treatment status. Approximately 19% of the sample reported suicidal ideation. Early onset marijuana use was reported by 28% of students. Compared to students who never used marijuana, early onset users were three times as likely to report suicidal ideation (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.06–10.44). In conclusion, early onset marijuana use may place African American young persons at increased risk for suicidal ideation. Marijuana use may be an important malleable risk factor that can be targeted in suicide prevention interventions designed for African American college students. More research is warranted.

Perceived Stress, Religiosity, and Substance Use Among African American and Latinx College Students with Asthma in the USA.

This study examined associations among perceived stress, religiosity, and substance use in African American and Latinx college students with asthma. Participants included 194 college students with asthma (18-20years, 63.4% African American, 21.1% Latinx). Eligible students completed an online questionnaire that included measures of asthma control, perceived stress, religiosity, alcohol misuse, and last 30-day tobacco use and marijuana use. Over one-quarter (25.3%) of participants reported using tobacco and 31.9% reported using marijuana in the past 30days. Perceived stress and religiosity were each independently associated with multiple indicators of substance use. Asthma control moderated associations between religiosity and tobacco use in the past 30days (b =  - .014, p = .002), such that the association between religiosity and tobacco use was stronger among those with better asthma control. Participant gender significantly moderated the association between perceived stress and alcohol misuse (b =  - .099, p = .029); a stronger, positive association between stress and alcohol misuse was found among men. Students' perceived stress levels were associated with marijuana use in the past 30days and high alcohol misuse. Religiosity was inversely linked to substance use. There is a need for healthcare providers to recognize and focus on substance use prevention specifically among African American and Latinx college students with asthma.

Attachment Styles among African American College Students

This study explored adult attachment styles among African American college students. The participants consisted of 129 college students aged 18 to 26 years (M = 20.1; SD =1.9). The participants completed three attachment instruments: (1) the Original Attachment Three-Category Measure (Hazen & Shaver, 1987); (2) the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991); (3) the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R; Fraley et al., 2000); and a demographic information form. The results indicated that the avoidant and secure attachment styles were dominant among African American college students. Cultural considerations are examined. 

No Booster for Us! An Understanding of HBCU Students’ COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Hesitancy

This exploratory study examines COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy among African American college students at a four-year Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Maryland. Although limited in scope, this research has implications for students at other HBCUs because of the shared history and culture of the “Black experience” in the United States. The study was conducted using focus groups. Key findings lie in the areas of self-efficacy, gender, and health status couched in the context of African Americans’ generational distrust of government and science to serve their best interests. In terms of self-efficacy, the students stated by taking the initial vaccines, they had done enough to ward off severe COVID-19. A concern by gender was voiced about purported side effects of the vaccine experienced from the initial doses. Certainly, as with many young adults of all races, the students in the study had a sense of invincibility regarding their health. Overall, the findings indicate that government and health organizations need to work more purposively by listening to the young African Americans they seek to serve. This in turn could lead to the creation of more effective health messages to reach demographics and communities who view themselves as outliers from the larger society.

Implicit Racial Bias, Health Care Provider Attitudes, and Perceptions of Health Care Quality Among African American College Students in Georgia, USA.

Due to racism, over 20% of African Americans, including college students in Georgia, receive poor quality health care. Consequently, most students are reluctant to utilize health care services in the state. This study examined biased racial attitudes of health care providers in Georgia, and African American Georgia State University (GSU) School of Public Health (SPH) students' perceptions of the quality of health care they receive from providers, the effects of such care, and student recommendations for the way forward. A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 63 students across six domains using Qualtrics. Provider brushes off patient concerns when providing medical care (29.9%), stereotyping (26.9%), and the lack of communication during medical care (25.4%) were the three main implicit racial attitudes identified by GSU SPH students. Owing to the poor quality of care they receive from their health care providers, some students (28.4%) are reluctant to utilize health care services, distrust doctors that are not from their race (34.3%), do not adhere to treatment (19.4%), and prefer to use home remedies (28.4%) when ill. Students recommended cultural competency training, holding health care providers accountable for their actions, and increasing African American health care providers in Georgia as ways to address health care provider attitudes and quality of care. Negative provider attitudes impact the health and health-seeking behavior of African American college students in Georgia. These attitudes must be eliminated so barriers to clinical participation are removed, and student health outcomes optimized.

Communicating Mental Health Coping Resources Among College Students of Color: A Resilience Approach to COVID-19 Response

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected African American college students and put them at high risk of mental health concerns. Guided by the community resilience model, this study examined how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) communicated mental health resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. An analysis of HBCUs’ website-based communication showed that mental health received minimal importance in response to the ongoing pandemic. Although larger and advanced degree-granting institutions provided a relatively greater amount of mental health resources than smaller institutions, those resources might not be sufficient to buffer against the COVID-19 induced stressors. Providing such inadequate mental resources indicate that many HBCU institutions were unable to provide a necessary supportive environment for the campus communities. HBCUs may establish formal and informal networks with local and regional mental health support organizations and share resources. Specifically, smaller institutions would benefit from such networked support. Additionally, HBCUs need to prioritize mental health in their response to COVID-19 to promote resilience among the student community.

Relation of the Trauma Symptom Inventory’s Sexual Dysfunction Subscale to Overall Distress in African American College Students

Recent research has identified that traumatic events have affected individuals from all occupations. Severe trauma and reactions, which in the past were primarily identified with military veterans, have now been recognized in people throughout society. The TSI-2 is a 136 item self-report tool that examines the impact of trauma on an individual’s social and interpersonal functioning. The test has 4 global scales and 12 subscales. This study examined the relation of the Sexual Dysfunction subscale to overall pathology and its implication in African American college students. Students from a HBCU volunteered to complete this scale as part of a larger study-evaluating mood and cognitive functioning. The researchers reexamined the data in relation to performance on the Sexual Dysfunction Scale and overall signs of distress, depression and anxiety. Results found individuals who scored elevated on the scale also had high elevations on measures of significant distress and pathology. They also were high risks for selfinjury. An item analysis indicated these individuals were likely to act impulsively and demonstrate acknowledged poor judgment in dating and sexual activities (e.g., having sex without protection, sleeping with someone who they knew was not good for them). This subscale possibly has utility in screening for college students whose experience with trauma may lead them to be high risks for exploitation and poor adjustment on a university campus.

The impact of racial identity and school composition on affirmative action attitudes of African American college students

ABSTRACT Affirmative Action remains a controversial policy that incites a variety of reactions. Some believe it’s an unjust policy that discriminates against applicants, while others view it as a policy aimed at fighting against past inequalities and discrimination. Little is known about African American endorsement of the policy. Two hundred and seven Black students from a predominantly White institution (PWI) and a historically Black university (HBCU) participated in the current study to examine the impact of racial identity on affirmative action attitudes (AA). Results indicated that school type and race centrality significantly predicted AA attitudes. Students who attended a HBCU were less likely to endorse AA compared to students at the PWI and those higher in race centrality were more likely to endorse AA. This study is one of the first to investigate the impact of the educational environment on the affirmative action attitudes of African Americans.

RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN AND LATINX WOMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ETHNO-GENDERED RACISM

This study explores how high-achieving African American and Latinx female college students in an historically white institution (HWI) experience and respond to ethno-gendered bias based on the perspectives of resilience and intersectionality. Six 90-minutes focus group were conducted with 21 college women of color (CWOC), including 10 African American and 11 Latina emerging adults aged 18 to 23. A modified grounded theory approach was employed for the data analysis. The transitions of CWOC as emerging adults taking on greater responsibilities and independence were made more complex by ethno-gendered encounters. A grounded model of resistance expanded the ecological framework of resilience to accommodate intersectional experiences with race and gender bias. The model highlights CWOC resistance as an important psychosocial mechanism facilitating their adjustment in a predominantly White institution. CWOC employed a strong psychological mechanism of resistance to prevent the internalization of the negative stereotypical narratives. Maternal ethno-gendered racial socialization appeared to be a crucial resilience resource helping them to cope and promoting the growth of self-system characterized by independence, self-efficacy and self-respect, high self-esteem, determination and hard work. This transformative and constructive psychological mechanism of resistance was linked to their successful adjustment and achievement in college. The findings have developmental and practical implications for historically minoritized women college students’ resilience and adjustment.

Racism's (un)worthiness trap: The mediating roles of self-compassion and self-coldness in the link between racism and distress in African Americans.

Racism is a key determinant of mental health for African Americans. Although research has started to uncover moderators and mediators of the racism-health link, additional research in this area is warranted. Constructs that have yet to be examined in this link are self-compassion and self-coldness-two distinct ways of relating to oneself during adversity. Data from 133 African American college students were used to assess parallel mediation models in which the frequency and stress appraisal of racism were the predictor variables, psychological distress was the outcome variable, and dimensions of self-compassion and self-coldness were treated as mediators. Neither frequency nor appraisal of racism were related to the three types of self-compassion (i.e., self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness); yet, both racism frequency and appraisal were related to the three types of self-coldness (i.e., self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification). However, only self-judgment emerged as a significant mediator in the links between both frequency and appraisal of racism and distress, respectively. Reducing self-coldness in the face of racism can be a promising, individual-level wellness strategy for African Americans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Discrimination, Social Media Use, and Chronic Stress in Black Americans

Discrimination experiences may contribute to the chronic stress experienced by Black Americans, leaving these individuals particularly vulnerable to mental health concerns. In turn, individuals may utilize social media platforms as a place for online community and shared experience. At the same time, social media may also amplify evidence of global discrimination, further contributing to chronic stress felt in Black communities. Presently, little is known about the relationships between discrimination, chronic stress, and social media use. Multiple regressions and moderation analyses (N = 246) explored the predictive nature of social media use and discrimination on chronic stress in a sample of Black American college students. Results provide initial support for the potential negative impact of social media on chronic stress. Clinical implications for professional counselors are provided.

“They Are Coming to Get Something”: A Qualitative Study of African American Male Community College Students’ Education Abroad Experience in Senegal, West Africa

This paper is a critical qualitative study of African American male community college students’ education abroad experience in Senegal, West Africa. Currently, there is a lack of research that focuses directly on Black men who are studying abroad. Using African American male theory as the framework, four major themes emerged: men to boys, challenging the notion of  counternarratives, identity, and not-so-distant cousins. These themes point collectively to a transformative experience for the participants. Notably, the educational experience transformed the participants’ cultural, social, and racial identities, as the trip fostered a combination of vulnerability and safety that created the conditions for Black men to grow and transform.

Social Cognitive Career Theory Predictors of Goal Persistence in African American College Students With Disabilities

The Black Lives Matter movement exposed the broad and deep issues of institutional racism in the United States. Helping young African Americans with disabilities persevere in their pursuit of college degrees and obtain entry-level professional jobs as career pathways to the middle class will contribute to workplace equity for young adults who are at the intersection of race, disability, and poverty. The Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) has been validated extensively as a model of goal persistence for women and minority college students majoring in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). The present study evaluated SCCT constructs as predictors of goal persistence in a sample of African American college students with disabilities across various academic majors, using hierarchical regression analysis. The final model accounted for 53% of the variance in goal persistence scores, a large effect size. Academic milestone self-efficacy and career self-efficacy were the most important predictors of goal persistence, followed by academic barrier self-efficacy, deep learning style, and career outcome expectancy. The SCCT interventions designed to increase academic and career efficacy and outcome expectancy will increase the likelihood that African American college students with disabilities will complete their degrees and successfully obtain professional jobs.

Validation of the Fear of Missing Out Scale for Use with African Americans in the United States.

Social media connects people in a myriad of ways, yet when prevented from staying connected, an experience of missing out on information and events perceived to be integral to one's well-being may ensue. Relatedness, a core construct of self-determination theory, is a primary influencer of motivation, and therefore being cut off from others has a negative impact on one's quality of life. Across diverse groups of people, social media is utilized for a variety of purposes directly related to connectedness, which implies inherent differences in how one's fear of missing out (FoMO) manifests in everyday life. This study employed the previously validated Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOS) with a nonclinical sample of African American and Caucasian college students in the United States, with a particular focus on validity of the measure with an African American cohort due to a lack of empirical evidence pertaining to with this demographic. Factor analyses yielded inconsistent findings from the FoMOS initial validation study, and results indicated differences in self-reported FoMO between the two racial groups. We speculate that observed group-based differences are at least partially the result of how individuals from each group understood and internalized the conceptual meaning of FoMO, supporting a hypothesis of practical differences in how anxieties related to missing out manifest. This may be due to individual or group-based differences in motivations for, or general purpose of, using social media.