Continuing-generation Students Research Articles

Community heals: Lessons from qualitative narratives of first-generation college students

Background: First-generation college students struggle to navigate the college experience. Prior research suggests that social capital plays a critical role in college success such that students benefit from building networks of support within the university. Objective: We investigated whether social capital, in the form of engagement with university services, had positive implications for college students’ mental health and academic performance, particularly for first-generation college students. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with both first- and continuing-generation students attending a Hispanic Serving Institution to gain a qualitative, in-depth understanding of the extent to which students took advantage of university services, and whether such engagement promoted their mental health and academic success. Results: Narratives revealed that first-generation students felt uniquely overwhelmed and could benefit from building connections and seeking support. Students emphasized the positive impact of community connections. Conclusion: University-wide programming focused on community building may improve first-generation students’ college experience.

Stress and Mental Health: Social-Emotional Protective Factors by Gender and First-Generation College Student Status

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to test whether the association between college students’ stress and mental health differed depending on social support and emotion expression beliefs. Additionally, this study examined whether these protective factors differed by gender and first-generation student status. Participants included emerging adult college students (N = 792) from a midsize public university in the Southwestern U.S. Students completed an online survey measuring their stress, mental health, emotion expression beliefs, and social support. Results demonstrated that social support was a protective factor for all and did not differ by gender or first-generation student status, whereas emotion expression beliefs related to lower levels of depression for women and lessened the negative effects of stress on mental health for continuing-generation students.

Race, ethnicity, and stratification within the first-generation student experience

ABSTRACT Students are embedded in intersecting structural and cultural contexts that differentially constrain and enable their opportunities and aspirations. The educational experiences of first-generation students differ from the traditional narrative of continuing-generation students. Yet, few scholars have been able to capture potentially distinct educational experiences by the race or ethnicity of first-generation students. Using longitudinal qualitative interview data from 75 first-generation and continuing-generation students, this paper explores whether first-generation students’ varying identities and backgrounds influence their educational experiences. My findings suggest that not only are there differences in how first-generation students of color experience and manage racial discrimination compared to White first-generation students, but there are also differences in how first-generation students of color benefit from engagement with certain race-specific student organizations. Additional insights into variation within first-generation student experiences can shine a light on the unique supportive mechanisms and challenges first-generation students of color experience while pursuing their higher educational goals.

Context-Dependent Social Comparison and Imposter Phenomenon: An Experimental Vignette Approach

Recent research into imposter phenomenon, or internal feelings of questioning competence, has shifted away from conceptualizing the feeling as an individual characteristic that requires an individual solution toward instead examining the role of context. We used a 2 (Generational Status: First Generation vs. Continuing Generation) × 3 (Environment: Classroom vs. Peer vs. Administration) × 2 (Social Comparison: Present vs. Absent) experimental vignette design. Overall, we found that, for both first- and continuing-generation students, social comparison messages differentially impacted imposter feelings depending on context, with the most elevated levels in social comparison messages from administrators and peers. Findings contribute to a better understanding of structural conditions that exacerbate or lessen imposter feelings at highly selective post-secondary institutions.

Does Trait Rumination Moderate the Path From Chronic Stress Adversity Exposure to Internalizing Symptoms in First-Generation and Continuing-Generation College Students?

ABSTRACT First-generation college students face greater life adversity and demonstrate higher internalized distress versus their continuing-generation peers. In 598 undergraduate students, this study tests: links between life adversity and internalized distress, moderation by trait rumination, and whether effects differ for first-generation versus continuing-generation students. Four of six latent moderated structural equation models supported the hypothesis that trait rumination (the tendency to engage in negative, self-focused thought) moderates the effects of family and financial chronic stress to predict depression and anxiety. Effects were similar in first-generation and continuing-generation students. Implications include offering trait rumination interventions especially to those with high chronic stress.

Social Capital & Enrollment in College as First-Generation Students

Young adults face major decisions as they complete high school, including whether to attend college. The steps needed to enroll in college can be extra challenging for first-generation students who may have limited support and resources at home or while in high school. This study explores structural, relational, and cognitive social capital indicators that enrolled college students used to support themselves in their decision to attend college. Comparisons are made between first-generation and continuing-generation students’ social capital. Ideas for areas where resources could be added or expanded to increase social capital for first-generation students are discussed.

Identifying, understanding, and supporting diverse first-generation scholars in linguistics

One in three college graduates is in the first generation of their family to complete a bachelor’s degree (NCES 2016), including 27% of doctoral students (CGS 2022) and 28% of tenure-track faculty (Morgan et al. 2022). Although there exists ample diversity of perspective and experience among first-generation students, relative to continuing-generation students, they are more likely to work full-time, care for dependents, and/or contribute to the income of their households. They are also more likely to be older, lower-income, racially minoritized, and to have graduated from community colleges. These factors provide first-generation linguists with unique forms of cultural and symbolic capital that often go undervalued in academia. We demonstrate how faculty can establish effective and nurturing mentoring relationships with first-generation students, how first-generation graduate students and faculty can maintain a work-life balance, and how to use tailor-made case studies to increase the visibility of generation-based educational inequity. Our perspective emphasizes structural barriers over individual shortcomings and uplifts first-generation voices in a variety of academic roles and institutional contexts within linguistics and allied disciplines.

The Cost of Doing Homework: Online Homework Systems with Access Codes from a Social Justice Perspective

The use of online homework systems that require the purchase of an access code has become widespread. The purpose of this study is to examine student experiences with and perceptions of online homework systems with access codes. Postsecondary students (N = 966) completed a survey about the financial costs, perceptions of quality, engagement with, and learning with online homework systems. Most students (79.5%) indicated that they had been required to purchase an access code for an online homework system. Of those who had been required to purchase an access code, 29.4% reported their grade was hurt because they could not afford an access code. Students reported online homework systems were moderately helpful for learning. When considering students who have been historically underserved by higher education, Black students reported more courses with required access codes for homework and reported that online homework systems were more helpful than other students. Latino/a/x students were more likely to report their grades were hurt by not affording access codes (47.9%) than other students. First-generation students reported they avoided courses with online homework systems (36.9%) more than continuing-generation students (23.9%). Overall, the findings indicate that the cost of online homework systems is a barrier to education, and alternatives should be further developed and promoted.

Revisiting College Access and Equity: Perspectives of Continuing-Generation College Students on Their First-Generation Peers

ABSTRACT Although researchers have primarily focused on the experiences of first-generation college students, it is crucial to understand the perspectives of students whose parents have also attended college. We conducted 21 individual interviews with such students to learn about their pre- and during-college perceptions of their first-generation peers. Our findings recommend that higher education professionals engage continuing-generation students in mentorship or ally programs for first-generation students, offer individualized counseling opportunities, and expand financial aid.

Expectations of First-Generation Students and Continuing-Generation Students: How Faculty Can Make a Difference

Faculty have a responsibility in how they set up and manage their classroom environment, positioning them to successfully aid in student persistence and retention. But they are often not included in university initiatives or conversations about the effect their pedagogy has on retention. They may also not see retention as part of their primary or secondary job responsibilities, assuming this is the role of student services or university administration. Good pedagogy requires faculty to create an inviting space where students can come together as a community to learn, and recognizes the unique characteristics of students in the classroom. This study examined differences between first-generation students and continuing-generation students regarding college classroom environments from data collected in late fall 2016. Implications and recommendations for practice are discussed using pedagogical content knowledge and asset-minded teaching strategies as frameworks for student success.

The role of emotional similarity and emotional accuracy in belonging and stress among first-generation and continuing-generation students.

Extensive research has documented the psychological, social, and academic predicament of first-generation college students. However, basic psychological mechanisms underlying the challenges experienced by these students have been understudied. Taking a cultural psychology perspective, the present research considers the role of emotional (mis)match as a key mechanism for explaining first-generation students' lowered well-being. A sample of 344 American undergraduate students completed a survey designed to measure two aspects of emotional processing: (1) Emotional Accuracy - how accurately students perceive emotional reactions of majority-culture students (continuing-generation junior and senior students who have been socialized into college culture), and (2) Emotional Similarity -how similar students' emotions are to the emotions experienced by majority-culture students. Emotional Accuracy predicted positive outcomes, in general, but was lower among first-generation students. Unexpectedly, Emotional Similarity predicted negative student outcomes. As one of the first studies addressing basic psychological mechanisms in college adjustment, these findings underscore the importance of understanding the roles that specific emotional processes play in social adjustment.

First and continuing generation Jewish and Arab-Palestinian female students in Israeli peripheral college: a comparative perspective

ABSTRACT The present study focuses on the characteristics and tendencies of Jewish and Arab-Palestinian female “first-generation students” (FGS) and “continuing-generation students” (CGS). The drastic changes of learning procedures during COVID-19, a time of remote learning and economic crisis, are also examined. COVID-19 had a significant impact on various dimensions of students’ lives worldwide. Additionally, Remote learning has further compounded challenges for minorities and FGS, who already face difficulties balancing work, self-care, and family responsibilities even under regular circumstances. Furthermore, focusing on female students from a gender perspective adds another layer to the analysis, strengthening the understanding of their experience which is already challenged as FGS. These insights are important, not only to optimize preparation for the next crisis, but also to understand the challenges faced by FGS in normal times. In addition, these insights may help to prevent the marginalization of these students who are at risk of dropping out.

How do social and academic integration develop over time? Longitudinal analyses of differences based on students’ sociodemographic background

ABSTRACT Although social and academic integration are considered significant predictors of academic success, little is known about their longitudinal development. In addition, cross-sectional research indicates differences in the integration process based on the sociodemographic background of students, but lacks longitudinal confirmation, especially in Germany. This research gap was addressed by examining students’ integration across three years with measures at four time points (N = 4270) based on data from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) in Germany. Longitudinal growth curve analyses were conducted considering interindividual differences between four groups: first-generation students with and without a migration background, and continuing-generation students with and without a migration background. Differences in students’ social and academic integration, measured by several sub-dimensions, partly supported expected advantages for students from academic backgrounds without a migration background, both at the first time point and regarding the longitudinal development. Nevertheless, these differences were small and partly accompanied by non-significant findings highlighting similarities across students. Assumptions about differences between students and implications for future research on the longitudinal development of student integration are discussed.

The cost of being first: Belonging uncertainty predicts math motivation and achievement for first-generation, but not continuing-generation, students

Compared to continuing-generation students, first-generation college students face additional barriers to their sense of belonging in STEM disciplines and at selective institutions. We examined first-generation (N = 1293) and continuing-generation (N = 2150) students' perceptions of belonging uncertainty, math motivation, and math achievement at eight research and comprehensive universities. Results of the multigroup structural equation analyses suggested that first-generation students who had higher belonging uncertainty reported lower success expectancies and higher perceived costs for math. Less adaptive math motivational beliefs, in turn, predicted lower math achievement for first-generation students. For continuing-generation students, belonging uncertainty was unrelated to math expectancies, value, costs, and achievement. The multigroup analyses revealed significant differences in how expectancies and costs mediated the relationship between belonging uncertainty and math achievement for first-generation versus continuing-generation students. Results have implications for narrowing social class equity gaps in selective institutions and diversifying STEM. Educational relevance statementFirst-year college students commonly experience uncertainties about the quality of their relationships and social ties (i.e., belonging uncertainty), particularly in competitive academic environments. We examined belonging uncertainty, motivational beliefs, and achievement among first-time, first-year students enrolled in a math course in eight competitive higher education institutions. Findings revealed that for first-generation students, compared to continuing-generation students, belonging uncertainty more negatively and strongly predicted math motivation, and in turn, math achievement. These findings highlight the importance of designing belonging interventions that particularly support first-generation students' college experience as uncertainties about belonging had more negative consequences for this population. Our research has implications for narrowing equity gaps between first-generation and continuing-generation students in selective universities.

A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of First-Generation College Students’ Help-Seeking Attitudes, Decisions, and Behaviors

First-generation college students (FGCS) are significantly less likely to complete degrees compared to continuing-generation students. Among the multifaceted causes for this disparity, many FGCS possess limited social and cultural capital in academia, resulting in lower rates of help-seeking and resource utilization. In this study, we conducted an in-depth qualitative investigation to better understand FGCS's help-seeking attitudes, decisions, and behaviors. Twenty-five first-year FGCS at a 4-year, regional, public university participated in individual interviews. A faculty–student team analyzed interview data using reflective thematic analysis. Our findings demonstrate that FGCS were highly strategic about help-seeking, weighing potential costs and benefits. Though they valued self-sufficiency, FGCS sought support when they identified tangible problems and solutions, when potential providers were accessible and had clearly designated roles, and when helpers conveyed personal interest, empathy, and nonjudgment. These results support several recommendations for policy and practice, including critical consciousness, peer mentoring, and difference-education interventions.

Mental health problems in first‐generation university students: A scoping review

AbstractDespite growing concern about mental health problems in university students and increasing recognition that first‐generation university students (FGS) may face additional challenges, there has been no previous attempt to map the existing research on FGS mental health. The aim of this scoping review was to elicit current understanding of mental health problems in FGS from the literature. Following database searches and screening, 40 peer‐reviewed articles were included in the scoping review. Findings from these studies were synthesised for: types of mental health problems in FGS; prevalence of mental health problems in FGS compared to continuing‐generation students (CGS); factors associated with mental health problems in FGS; effects of mental health problems on FGS; help‐seeking for mental health problems in FGS; and interventions. Significant gaps were highlighted and recommendations made for future research, particularly outside the United States. True commitment to widening participation demands much more research on mental health problems in FGS to ensure that they thrive not just arrive. Context and implications Rationale for this studyThe aim of this scoping review was to map the existing international research on mental health problems in first‐generation university students (FGS).Why do the new findings matter?The scoping review synthesises findings from 40 empirical studies published in peer‐reviewed journals, giving valuable insights into mental health problems in FGS and highlighting significant gaps in our understanding.Implications for higher education researchers and universitiesThe findings of the scoping review are a call to action for future research in this field. More studies are needed, particularly outside the United States, using a variety of research designs to gain a more comprehensive understanding of mental health problems in FGS. This research should be prioritised so that universities are provided with evidence‐based recommendations to mitigate and/or address mental health problems in FGS, thereby helping to ensure that they thrive in higher education.

A systematic review of first-generation college students’ mental health

Objective: To synthesize peer-reviewed research on first-generation college students’ mental health. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in 4 databases through 2022 to identify empirical, peer-reviewed, and published articles on first-generation college student anxiety, depression, stress and mental health. Results: Across 62 papers, first-generation college students appeared to experience heightened anxiety, depression and stress when academic activities and social relationships conflicted rather than aligned with interdependent norms. Importantly however, when these negative mental health outcomes were measured generally – without reference to a specific domain (i.e., academic or social) – nearly all papers found no significant differences between first- and continuing-generation students. Conclusions: The findings further emphasized the need for understanding mental health within specific contexts.

Mental health among first-generation college students: Findings from the national Healthy Minds Study, 2018-2021.

A mounting body of evidence reveals that college mental health outcomes are worsening over time. That said, little is known about the mental health needs of the nearly eight million first-generation students in U.S. postsecondary education. The present study uses population-level data from the national Healthy Minds Study to compare prevalence of mental health symptoms and use of services for first-generation and continuing-generation students from 2018-2021. The sample includes 192,202 students at 277 campuses, with 17.3% being first-generation. Findings reveal a high prevalence of mental health symptoms among both first-generation and continuing-generation students. Controlling for symptoms, FG students had significantly lower rates of mental health service use. Just 32.8% of first-generation students with symptoms received therapy in the past year, relative to 42.8% among continuing-generation students, and this disparity widened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings have important implications for the design and implementation of higher education policies, mental health delivery systems, college persistence and retention initiatives, and public health efforts in school settings.

Who gets to see themselves as talented? Biased self-concepts contribute to first-generation students' disadvantage in talent-focused environments

Intellectual talent is commonly regarded as an important factor for success – i.e., “what it takes to succeed” in Western educational contexts. Yet, the differential experiences individuals have may not allow everyone to think of themselves as talented - i.e., as having “what it takes to succeed” - to the same degree. In five studies with 3584 students in Western countries, we show i) that first-generation students see themselves as less intellectually talented than continuing-generation students, ii) that this bias in self-concept contributes to disadvantages in their academic experience and engagement, and iii) how this disadvantage may be reduced.Quasi-experiments 1a and b (N = 694; 316) show that first-generation students view themselves as relatively less talented, but not less diligent, above and beyond prior performance-levels. Field and experimental Studies 2a-b (N = 1881; 362) show that this bias in students' talent self-concept contributes to disadvantage in first-generation students' academic experience and engagement. Experiment 3 (N = 331) suggests that talent self-concept bias is most consequential in talent-focused environments. If, however, environments emphasize effort, disadvantages connected to talent self-concepts are mitigated.The experiences first-generation students have in current Western environments seem to make them see themselves as relatively less talented, contributing to disadvantage. Creating effort-focused environments can reduce this disadvantage and promote equality.

Graduate Program Considerations: Which Factors Matter to Students?

Graduate enrollment rates are increasing, but research investigating which factors matter in the decision process is lacking. The results of this quantitative study suggest that first-generation students and students of Color interested in educational counseling and student affairs approach the master’s college choice process differently than continuing-generation students and White students. Program characteristics, personal factors, ease of entrance, input from others, and benefits to others emerged as important features of the process for historically marginalized student groups. Implications for practice and research are discussed which include examining admissions policies and program structures.