Hispanic College Students Research Articles

Toward a micro-level perspective on acculturation among U.S. Hispanic college students: A daily diary study.

The present study introduces a daily, micro-level perspective on acculturation using a sample of Hispanic college students in Miami. We conducted a 12-day diary study with a sample of first- and second-generation Hispanic college students in Miami. Outcome variables were measured on Days 1 and 12, and acculturation components (practices, identities, and values) were measured on Days 2-11. Daily fluctuations in acculturation components between Days 2 and 11 were examined as predictors of well-being, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing problems on Day 12. Fluctuations in comfort with speaking English negatively predicted three of the four well-being outcomes and positively predicted all of the internalizing and externalizing indicators. Fluctuations in collectivist values predicted two of the well-being outcomes and both anxiety and depressive symptoms, and fluctuations in ethnic identity predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms. Daily volatility in comfort with English, collectivist values, and ethnic identity appear to be most distressing.

Self-esteem, Acculturative Stress, and Marijuana Use Among Hispanic College Students

Previous research has found mixed results regarding the association between acculturation and substance use in Hispanic populations. Additional research is warranted to examine relations among facets of acculturation, particularly acculturative stress, and marijuana use. The purpose of this study was to examine whether self-esteem mediates the relation between acculturative stress and a lifetime history of marijuana use among a sample of Hispanic college students. Hispanic college students ( N = 204; Mean age = 20.3 years) from a large southwestern university participated in an online study and reported on lifetime marijuana use, self-esteem, and acculturative stress. We evaluated the hypothesis that self-esteem would mediate the relation between acculturative stress and the likelihood of reporting a history of marijuana use, utilizing Hayes’ SPSS macro, which provides estimates of boot-strapped confidence intervals for the indirect effect. Results showed that self-esteem did not significantly mediate the relation between acculturative stress and likelihood of marijuana use [ b = .157, 95% CI (−.003, .017)]. Future studies might examine other facets of acculturation in relation to substance use, utilizing a longitudinal approach to better understand these associations.

What does it mean to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution? Listening to the Latina/o/x voices of students

The purpose of this study is to examine what the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation means to Hispanic college students at a Research One four-year university. This qualitative case study used one-on-one interviews with Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students to explore their experiences and perceptions of what it means to be an HSI and how the HSI designation can affect their collegiate experience. The study was guided by Museus’s culturally engaging campus environments model to help identify what strategies can enhance the educational experiences of Hispanic students attending an HSI. The findings of this paper only include data from students of this particular HSI. The overarching themes that emerged include a sense of belonging through campus organizations, the presence of Latina/o/x faculty, and institutional diversity.

Perceived discrimination and alcohol-related problems among Hispanic college students: The protective role of serious harm reduction behaviors

The present study investigated the use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) as moderators of the association between perceived discrimination and alcohol-related problems among Hispanic college students. Participants who were between 18 and 24 years of age (n = 379) completed self-report measures. The results showed that greater perceived discrimination was associated with less frequent PBS use, more problematic alcohol use, and more alcohol-related problems, while greater use of PBS types was associated with fewer alcohol-related problems. Furthermore, serious harm-reduction behaviors moderated the association between perceived discrimination and alcohol-related problems. The findings suggest that serious harm-reduction behaviors may protect against the negative effects of perceived discrimination on alcohol-related problems among Hispanic college students.

Grit and Retention Among First Year Hispanic College Students at a Hispanic Serving Institution

Hispanic college students attending a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in the southwest United States were administered the short grit survey during new student orientation for 2 consecutive years ( N = 496) to ascertain the association with grit scores and retention after the first year of university attendance. Results indicate that there was a gender difference in grit scores and retention. Few grit survey items were associated with retention, thus suggesting that the grit survey may not be an appropriate predictor of retention for first-generation Hispanic college students.

The Impact of Advancement Via Individual Determination on the College Readiness of First-Generation Hispanic Students in an Urban South Texas High School

This study examined the phenomenon of college readiness in Hispanic first-generation college students. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between first-generation Hispanic student participation in an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) elective course and college readiness. The researchers used logistic regression with a dependent variable, college readiness [measured by passing and failing scores on the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment in Reading, Writing and Math] and the predictor variables: AVID participation, Average T-scores of Advanced Placement, and Average T-scores of ACT and Dual Enrollment. Findings indicated that high school AVID elective course participation was a function of TSI Reading, Writing, and Math scores; however, middle school AVID elective course participation was not a function of these scores. The results highlight the importance of continued research on AVID participation and college readiness, particularly in the form of college placement exam scores such as the Texas Success Initiative.

The Effect of Perceived College-Related Stress on Depression, Life Satisfaction, and School Satisfaction: The Coping Strategies of Hispanic College Students From a Hispanic Serving Institution

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect reflective coping, suppressive coping, and reactive coping had on stress and indicators of well-being among Hispanic undergraduate students ( N = 177) from a Hispanic Serving Institution. Findings demonstrate that both reactive and suppressive coping had separate but important moderating effects on perceived stress and well-being outcomes. Perceived stress was also associated with both depressive symptoms and life satisfaction indirectly through copying styles.

Diverse Students’ Mental Health: Influences of Civic Learning Dimensions of Campus Climate

It is important to understand how students’ perceptions influence their mental health. We explored how perceptions of civic learning dimensions of campus climates interacted with race/ethnicity to affect the mental health of Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White college students. Findings indicate that mental health was not significantly different across institution or race/ethnicity group. Ethical and moral reasoning was the only climate factor that was a significant, positive predictor of mental health across groups.

Hispanic Millennial Ideology: Surprisingly, No Liberal “Monolith” Among College Students

The goal of this study is to analyze the ideological positions of Hispanic college students in the U.S. Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Building on Feldman and Johnston’s work, where they argue that a unidimensional model of political ideology provides an incomplete basis for study, we employ two dimensions to account for domestic policy preference. The core of the study is a taxonomic analysis of a survey of RGV college students taking government courses, where we find that the political beliefs of Hispanic millennials trend significantly more conservative and, especially, libertarian than expected. Possible implications for the future include a realignment of Hispanics with the Republican Party, a shift in a more libertarian direction within the Democratic Party itself, or an increase in younger Hispanics’ proclivity for independence from the two major parties. Our findings conform to Feldman and Johnston’s argument that the economic and social dimensions of political ideology are separate and distinct, making it essential that researchers analyze both dimensions in order to have an accurate and comprehensive understanding of individuals’ political ideology. In addition, using recent American National Election Studies (ANES) data sets, we compare how our samples are different from the general U.S. population, employing a principal component analysis (PCA).

Assessing Hispanic College Students Knowledge Related to Metabolic Syndrome Conditions

Assessing Hispanic College Students Knowledge Related to Metabolic Syndrome Conditions

Psychological inflexibility among Hispanic college students: Introducing the 6-item Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for weight-related difficulties.

Psychological inflexibility among Hispanic college students: Introducing the 6-item Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for weight-related difficulties.

0309 The Sleep Health Index: Correlations with Standardized Stress and Sleep Measures in a Predominantly Hispanic College Student Population

0309 The Sleep Health Index: Correlations with Standardized Stress and Sleep Measures in a Predominantly Hispanic College Student Population

Biculturalism dynamics: A daily diary study of bicultural identity and psychosocial functioning

We examined two conceptualizations of bicultural identity – the Bicultural Identity Integration (BII) framework (cultural identity blendedness-distance and harmony-conflict) and cultural hybridizing and alternating (mixing one's two cultural identities and/or switching between them). Utilizing data from a 12-day diary study with 873 Hispanic college students, we examined three research questions: (1) cross-sectional and longitudinal intercorrelations among these biculturalism components, (2) links among daily variability in these biculturalism components, and (3) how this daily variability predicts well-being and mental health outcomes over time. Bicultural hybridizing was positively related to, and longitudinally predicted by, both BII blendedness and harmony. Daily fluctuation scores for BII blendedness, BII harmony, and bicultural hybridizing were strongly interrelated. Well-being was negatively predicted by fluctuations in hybridizing, whereas internalizing symptoms were positively predicted by fluctuations in blendedness. These results are discussed in terms of what biculturalism is and how best to promote it.

Exploring Individual Differences in the Relationship Between Cultural Identity Processes and Well-Being

Although studies have explored how cultural identity impacts young people’s daily lives, these studies have exclusively focused on daily variability in cultural identity salience, overlooking daily variability in the underlying developmental processes. In the present study, we used a 12-day daily assessment conducted with 873 Hispanic college students to address these gaps by examining daily variability in ethnic and U.S. belonging, exploring between-person variability in the daily associations of ethnic and U.S. belonging with well-being, and identifying whether centrality predicts between-person variability in daily levels of these processes and their relation to well-being. Results indicated significant changes in ethnic and U.S belonging on a daily basis. Despite the positive average within-person associations between ethnic belonging and well-being, results indicated significant variability. Finally, centrality also significantly predicted between-person variability in the daily levels of these cultural processes and the within-person associations. Implications for future research are discussed.

Spanish translation and validation of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire.

The present study reports the multistage development and evaluation of a Spanish translation of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ). The INQ measures the constructs of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, which the interpersonal theory of suicide proposes are proximal causes of suicidal desire. Participants were bilingual Hispanic college students in the United States (n = 56), heritage Spanish-speaking college students in the United States (n = 281), college students in Spain (n = 1,016), psychiatric inpatients in Mexico (n = 181), college students in Mexico (n = 239), and Spanish-speaking U.S. adults (n = 104). Results indicated that a 9-item 2-factor solution (INQ-S-9) provided good fit. Multiple group analyses were also consistent with measurement invariance across nationalities and clinical severity. Finally, both subscale scores demonstrated good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and concurrent associations with scores on measures of suicide ideation. Cultural considerations and implications for use in clinical and research settings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Within Hispanic College Students

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) within a sample of Hispanic college students. The sample of 223 Hispanic or Latino/a college students consisting of 142 women (65%) and 79 men (35%) was recruited from a Hispanic serving institution in the southern United States. The results of factor analysis confirmed the three-subscale structure of the MSPSS: family, friend, and a significant other.

A Knowledge Based Intervention on Health and Physical Activity Knowledge and Behavior in Hispanic College Students

A Knowledge Based Intervention on Health and Physical Activity Knowledge and Behavior in Hispanic College Students

Clarifying the relation of acculturative stress and anxiety/depressive symptoms: The role of anxiety sensitivity among Hispanic college students.

Recent work has highlighted the link between acculturative stress and depression/anxiety symptoms among Hispanic young adults, but the nature of these relations is not well understood. The present study aimed to clarify the relation between acculturative stress and depression/anxiety symptoms by examining anxiety sensitivity, globally and via subfactors, as an explanatory variable. A cross-sectional sample of 788 Hispanic college students (80.8% female; Mage = 20.83 years, SD = 1.93) was recruited from a southwestern public university and completed an online self-report assessment battery. Acculturative stress exerted an indirect effect, via the global construct of anxiety sensitivity, on depression symptoms, suicidality, anxious arousal, and social anxiety symptoms. Follow-up simultaneous analytic models demonstrated indirect effects via the anxiety sensitivity subfactors that were pathognomonic with each of the specific affective outcomes. These findings suggest the utility of assessing and targeting anxiety sensitivity in the treatment of acculturative stress-related depression/anxiety problems among Hispanic college students. (PsycINFO Database Record

Supplemental Material for Psychological Inflexibility Among Hispanic College Students: Introducing the 6-Item Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight-Related Difficulties

Supplemental Material for Psychological Inflexibility Among Hispanic College Students: Introducing the 6-Item Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight-Related Difficulties

Assessing Overweight/Obesity, Dietary Habits, and Physical Activity in Hispanic College Students

Assessing Overweight/Obesity, Dietary Habits, and Physical Activity in Hispanic College Students