Diverse College Students Research Articles

Multi-Level Determinants of Food Insecurity among Racially and Ethnically Diverse College Students.

Compared with the general population, the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) is higher among college students. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated FI disparities and highlighted the need for further research to better understand and address FI in this population. Although race and ethnicity are two of the strongest predictors of FI among college students, little research is available on the determinants of FI among racial/ethnic minority college students. A cross-sectional study (n = 588) based on the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities research framework was examined to identify population-specific determinants of FI among racially/ethnically diverse college students through the assessment of multiple domains (behavioral, environmental, socio-cultural) and levels of influence (individual, interpersonal, and community levels). Discrimination was the sole predictor of FI for non-Hispanic Black students. Coping mechanisms for FI (savings, reduced intake) and body mass index (BMI) were predictors of FI for Hispanic and non-Hispanic White students. Additionally, decreased holistic support from faculty and staff was also observed as a predictor of FI in Hispanic students. Implications include the need for further research and the development of multi-level, tailored interventions to address FI among college students with the goal of decreasing disparities.

The Critical Role of Culturally Relevant History in Serving Diverse College Students

The Critical Role of Culturally Relevant History in Serving Diverse College Students

Evaluating impacts of R3 workshops for first‐time hunters at universities across the United States

AbstractDeclines in hunter numbers across the United States make hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) a high priority for wildlife management. As wildlife management agencies and nongovernmental organizations seek to reach new audiences, college campuses present a unique opportunity to cultivate nontraditional path hunters. Despite recent proliferation of R3 initiatives, little research has evaluated effects of hunting programs on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of new hunters. We designed and implemented Getting Started Outdoors: Hunting 101 workshops specifically targeting college students without previous hunting experience, and we assessed workshop efficacy with a theoretically‐grounded approach to workshop evaluation. Using quantitative and qualitative analysis of surveys conducted before, shortly after, and 12–18 months after workshops, we assessed impacts of R3 efforts at large public universities in 16 different U.S. states. Across all states, 19 workshops attracted 314 total participants, with 255 completing both pre‐ and post‐workshop assessments and 133 completing the follow‐up surveys. Workshops significantly increased participants' confidence in hunting, reduced barriers related to inadequate knowledge and skills, and fostered positive views of hunters and hunting. Immediately after workshops, most participants said they would definitely (50%) or probably (34%) hunt in the future; 82% said they would likely (or very likely) purchase a hunting license. Over one year after the workshops, 34% of workshop participants reported having hunted, and another 45% said they would probably hunt in the future. Overall, workshops attracted a diverse population of potential hunters, increased interest in future hunting, and created hunting advocates. Findings highlight the potentially powerful impact that R3 programs focused on diverse college students can have on the future of hunting across the United States.

Evaluation of the gender minority stress model in transgender and gender diverse college students.

Evaluation of the gender minority stress model in transgender and gender diverse college students.

An intersectional examination of the impact of COVID-stress and discrimination on college students’ resilience and mental health

Objective: To investigate the impact of COVID-stress and discrimination on mental health among a group of diverse college students using an intersectional framework. Participants: One thousand six hundred seventy-one undergraduate students (M age = 20.42, SD = 2.74) were recruited from nine college campuses. Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing mental health symptoms, COVID-stress, and in-school discrimination. Hierarchical regressions and multi-group SEM path analysis were conducted to examine differences across intersectional identities. Results: Female-identifying students reported higher COVID-stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and lower resilience compared to males. COVID-stress and discrimination were highest among certain minoritized student groups. Using an intersectional framework, more COVID-stress and discrimination were associated with increased anxiety for almost all women of color. Unexpectedly, COVID-stress predicted anxiety symptoms for almost all male intersectional groups. Conclusions: Findings reaffirm the intersectional framework and highlight significant disparities in how students experience COVID-stress, discrimination, and mental health outcomes along dimensions of gender and race/ethnicity.

The Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index (PPFI): An Item Response Theory Analysis with Racially Diverse College Students

The Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index (PPFI): An Item Response Theory Analysis with Racially Diverse College Students

Gender-neutral bathrooms on campus: a multicampus study of cisgender and transgender and gender diverse college students

Objective: This study examined cisgender and transgender and gender diverse (TGD) college students’ perceptions of gender-neutral bathroom availability across eight U.S. campuses, TGD students’ fear of harassment related to (lack of) availability of gender-neutral bathrooms, and the relation between fear of harassment and TGD students’ psychological distress. Methods: Participants were 4,328 college students (4,195 cisgender, 30 binary transgender, 103 gender diverse) from eight U.S. institutions of higher education. Results: The majority (84.2%) of TGD students and 34.6% of cisgender students perceived there were too few gender-neutral bathrooms on their campus. Further, TGD students’ fear of harassment related to a lack of availability of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus was positively associated with psychological distress (i.e., symptoms of depression and anxiety). Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of increasing accessibility of gender-neutral bathrooms on campuses to help mitigate TGD students’ fear of harassment and psychological distress.

Sexual Assault, Posttraumatic Stress, Alcohol Use, and Suicidality Among Diverse College Students.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-aged populations. This study examined the association of demographics (sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and race), sexual assault, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and alcohol use with suicidality, current urge to self-harm, and current suicidal intent among a diverse sample of college students (n = 2,160) from two universities. Over half of participants reported any suicidality (63.5%), 12% reported current urge to harm themselves, and 5% reported current suicidal intent. A linear regression indicated that participants who identified as a sexual minority, gender minority, consumed more drinks per week, and had more severe PTSS reported higher levels of suicidality. University also was associated with suicidality. A negative binomial regression demonstrated that participants who identified as a sexual minority and had more severe PTSS had more current urge to harm themselves. Further, a negative binomial regression demonstrated that first-generation college students, students with more severe sexual assault histories, and students with more severe PTSS had higher current suicidal intent. Findings suggest that risk factors may differ for college students' general suicidality, self-harm urges, and suicidal intent, suggesting that these may be separate constructs. More comprehensive models, incorporating multiple risk factors and multiple ways of assessing suicidality, are needed to better understand the range of college student suicidal behavior and risks.

Student perceptions and interests in sustainability: differences among student groups and impact on student sustainability program participation

PurposeThis study aims to examine factors that impact participation of diverse university students in an academic sustainability certificate and Office of Sustainability internships at the University of Georgia, recognizing the need for diverse voices and perspectives in addressing sustainability challenges and the current lack of diverse representation in the field.Design/methodology/approachA convenience sample of 77 student organizations and 35 departments, schools and colleges associated with the university was identified. The questionnaire was created using the Qualtrics online survey platform and distributed via email to potential participants. A total of 234 completed responses were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated to determine the demographic composition of the sample. One-way ANOVAs were performed to examine the relationship between respondent demographics and perceptions of sustainability and participation in campus sustainability programs. Post hoc tests were conducted using Fisher’s least significant difference procedure.FindingsSignificant relationships were observed between perceptions of sustainability and race and current gender. A significant relationship was observed between race and participation in campus sustainability programs. Overall, students from diverse backgrounds believe that sustainability efforts contribute to racial justice and equity. Additionally, students from diverse backgrounds do want to participate in campus sustainability programs; however, there may be barriers preventing their participation.Originality/valueThis study examines how students from diverse backgrounds perceive sustainability efforts, as well as their interest in participating in campus sustainability programs. The results of this study can be used to inform recruitment and program development strategies for sustainability programs at higher education institutions. At the time of publication, no study could be located that examines the current study outcomes.

Racial trauma as a risk factor for risky alcohol use in diverse college students

Exposure to potentially traumatic race-based experiences poses a risk factor for risky drinking among college students from historically marginalized racial/ethnic backgrounds. Objective: The current study examined the relationship between both the level (severity) and pattern of race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) reactions and risky drinking. Participants: The current study sample was made up of 62 male (23.5%) and 202 female (76.5%) Latino/a/x, Black, and Asian college students attending a minority-serving institution. Methods: Study participants were asked to participate in an anonymous online survey. Results: A criterion profile analysis revealed that higher scores on RBTS reactions overall, and elevated scores on RBTS – avoidance, low self-esteem, and anger, specifically, were indicative of more risky drinking. Conclusions: These findings highlight a distinct pattern of RBTS scores that may predict a vulnerability to risky drinking and underscore the importance of racial trauma healing in alcohol use prevention and intervention efforts.

Invisibility and Negative Career Outcome Expectations among Racially and Ethnically Diverse College Students at a Predominantly White Institution

The present study explored the relationship between invisibility experiences, a component of microaggressions, and negative career outcome expectations among a sample of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students attending a predominantly White institution of higher education (PWI). Additionally, given that invisibility is experienced differently across gender (i.e., intersecting invisibility), we explored whether the relationship between invisibility experiences and negative career outcome expectations differed across women and men. With a sample of 103 BIPOC college students, the findings supported the hypothesis of a significant positive relationship between invisibility experiences and a negative outlook on career advancement. Using Hayes’ SPSS PROCESS, the results also supported the moderation role of binary gender on the relationship between invisibility experiences and negative career outcome expectations in which the relationship was observed only for self-identified men BIPOC students. Implications include providing more attention to the invisibility experiences of BIPOC students, particularly at PWIs, and placing greater effort in assisting with the career development of BIPOC men college students. Specifically, given the significant moderation by gender relationship, customized interventions based on intersecting invisibility experiences are warranted. Additional discussion of the study’s implications and limitations are further described.

Correction: Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Mental Health Service Use, and Cultural Perspectives Among Ethnically Diverse University Students

Correction: Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Mental Health Service Use, and Cultural Perspectives Among Ethnically Diverse University Students

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Mental Health Service Use, and Cultural Perspectives Among Ethnically Diverse University Students

We aimed to investigate non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), help-seeking, and cultural responses to NSSI among a diverse sample of university students in Canada. NSSI prevalence was examined in a sample of students (n = 5,450; 63.9% women), which yielded a follow-up sample of ethnic minority students with a history of self-injury (n = 101; 81.2% women), to study service use and cultural responses to NSSI. Asian, Southeast Asian, White, and multiracial backgrounds were at the most risk for NSSI engagement. Three categories of responses to NSSI emerged: responses embedded in stigma, emotional, and constructive responses. Implications for cultural differences in help-seeking and attitudes towards NSSI are discussed.

Disrupting assumptions about graduate employability: exploring culturally and linguistically diverse university students’ graduate capitals in Australia

ABSTRACT Employability is a powerful discourse in higher education, yet as a driver for policy and practice it has not translated into an uplift in graduate outcomes for all student groups. In particular, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Migrant and/or Refugee (CALDMR) students experience inequitable graduate outcomes and access to meaningful employment opportunities. Drawing on a national study of career advisors and CALDMR students’ experiences of how Australian universities support their career development, we examine CALDMR students’ employability through the conceptual framework of graduate capitals. We make two key contributions: firstly, we offer insights into staff and student perceptions of university approaches with CALDMR. Secondly, we identify a lack of linguistic and cultural diversity conceptualisations of employability by examining the experiences of CALDMR students and staff through the lens of graduate capitals. We disrupt the assumptions and presumed familiarity with cultural knowledge.

The devil in the details: How high‐impact practices can miss the mark

AbstractHigher education researchers and practitioners increasingly rely on high‐impact practices in their efforts to promote success among diverse college students. In this chapter, we discuss the dangers of uncritically adopting one‐size‐fits‐all notions of high‐impact practices, and we underscore the need to meaningfully consider culture and identity in efforts to design and deliver such initiatives in equitable ways. We also offer five common misconceptions that inhibit advancing more equitable conversations about high‐impact practices.

Mental Health Literacy and Its Relation to Sexual and Gender Minority Identity in a Diverse Sample of Undergraduate College Students

Research indicates that mental health literacy (MHL) can promote adaptive health behaviors and reduce stigma toward mental health problems. However, few studies have examined MHL among sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, a population that is disproportionately affected by negative mental health outcomes due to experiences with minority stress. This study aimed to fill this gap in the literature by investigating the association between MHL and SGM identity in a sample of demographically diverse college students in New York City. In addition to using a comprehensive measure of MHL, we recorded participants’ self-reported history of a psychological disorder. Results indicated that SGM identity was associated with higher MHL than non-SGM identity over and above other sociodemographic characteristics. This association was fully driven by participants’ self-reported history of a psychological disorder, which was more frequently reported by SGM participants as compared to non-SGM participants. These findings suggest that SGM college students may have higher MHL than non-SGM college students due to their relatively greater likelihood of having personally experienced a psychological disorder. Early MHL intervention with SGM individuals may be warranted to increase MHL prior to a potential onset of psychopathology, with the larger goal of facilitating more positive mental health outcomes. Implications for interventions in school-based settings and future research initiatives are also discussed.

Idea Improvement and Socially Shared Regulation Matter in Cross-Cultural Online Collaborative Learning

Cross-cultural collaborative learning has been paid more and more attention in recent years. To promote productive cross-cultural collaborative learning, idea generation and improvement, and socially shared regulation is crucial. The study aimed to identify the differences in idea generation and improvement as well as socially shared regulation between high- and low-performance groups in cross-cultural online collaborative learning. In this study, 24 culturally diverse university students composed of eight groups conducted cross-cultural online collaborative learning to solve problems collaboratively. Epistemic network analysis and lag sequential analysis methods were employed to analyze data quantitatively and qualitatively. The results revealed that different strategies shape different learning performances. High-performance groups adopted more cognitive, social, and regulation processes than low-performance groups. The results extend the existing literature by indicating that idea elaboration, refining or building on ideas, and appraisal is strongly connected to new ideas. In addition, transitions from monitoring and controlling to adapting metacognition in collaborative learning activities are the main difference in socially shared regulation between high-performance and low-performance groups. This study shed light on how to engage culturally diverse students to generate and improve ideas as well as jointly regulate collaborative learning.

Diverse College Students' Cultural Background and College Persistence

Tinto (1975) created a college persistence model, emphasizing institutional academic and social integration, that continues to guide U.S. university retention strategies. This longitudinal study followed 584 college Freshman from diverse backgrounds, testing for group differences in the relationship that Tinto’s key constructs have on college persistence, over time, for U.S.-White, U.S.-minority, and immigrant-origin groups. We found significant positive associations between Academic Integration and Intentions to Persist for all ethnic groups, but group differences in Social Integration and Intentions to Persist. Additionally, Intentions to Persist was a significant predictor of actual persistence for all groups, suggesting predictive power overall.

Intricate Realities: Mental Health among Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse College Students

The rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation have all increased among U.S. college students. The utilization of mental health services has also risen. Transgender/gender diverse (TGD) young people experience high rates of mental health concerns. Little is known regarding TGD students needing mental health services, if they are accessing them, and the differences in who accesses these services. This pilot study (N = 121), conducted online from 2021 to 2022, explores the mental health of the TGD students and the mental health services at a Midwest public university. Of the total sample, 68.1% described their mental health as being fair or poor. Disabled students were significantly more likely to self-report a negative mental health status (76.7%) than their non-disabled peers (58.9%). Nonbinary individuals were also significantly more likely to indicate negative mental health (79.5%) than their binary counterparts (47.6%). Notably, 6.6% of students with current depression diagnoses, 7.1% with current anxiety diagnoses, 11.8% with recent thoughts of NSSI, and 3.3% with recent suicide attempts had not accessed mental health services. This study indicates the need for more accessible TGD affirming mental health care for TGD students, and opportunities for innovation with interventions to better support TGD college and university students.

Validation of the Black Community Activism Orientation Scale with racially and ethnically diverse college students.

This study fills a methodological gap in racial justice research by assessing the utility and validity of the Black Community Activism Orientation Scale (BCAOS) in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of college-going young adults (N = 624, M = 19.4 years, SD = 1.89) from 10 colleges in the United States. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to estimate the goodness of fit of the proposed three-factor model and assess the validity of the BCAOS. Findings from the confirmatory factor analysis provide statistical support for use of the BCAOS as a measure of racial justice activism in support of Black communities among racially and ethnically diverse college-going young adults. Findings from the study also suggest that White college students and men are less oriented toward racial justice activism than women and racially marginalized students. Convergent and discriminant validity were established through bivariate correlations of the BCAOS factors with other civic development measures. As more and more young people consider the importance of standing against racial oppression, the BCAOS has utility as an assessment instrument in future racial justice research, education, intervention, and youth programming efforts.