Urban Commuter College Research Articles

Youth Exposure to Gun, Knife, and Physical Assaults: Assessing PTSD Symptoms Across Types of Assaults, Race, Ethnicity, Sex, and Context.

This study examined posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in relation to physical assaults and weapons-related victimization, as well as the moderating roles of demographic characteristics and the context of victimization. The sample consisted of 910 racially and ethnically diverse adolescents and young adults from an urban commuter college in the Northeast U.S. Findings include significant sex differences and racial differences in reported victimization and symptoms. Men reported significantly more physical assaults, gun victimizations, and knife victimizations than women. Black participants reported significantly more gun victimization than all other groups, and Black, White, and Asian participants reported significantly more physical assault experiences than Latinx participants. Individuals victimized by physical assault or by gun victimization were more than twice as likely to report clinically significant PTSD symptoms than individuals without such experiences, even after adjusting for demographic differences. In addition, for gun victimization in the community, a two-way interaction (gun victimization by race) and a three-way interaction (gun victimization by race by sex) were significantly associated with clinically significant PTSD symptoms. Gun victimization in the community, which disproportionately impacts Black men, was the only context in which PTSD symptoms were highest for men compared to women. The overall finding of lower PTSD symptoms among men suggests that clinical practice must include an intentional focus on violence victimization, including the use of weapons, as well as the various ways that distress might manifest among men. In addition to symptoms of PTSD, other symptoms of distress, including substance use, anger, and retaliatory aggression, should be considered. Public policy and public health must also direct attention to the use of weapons in violence victimization and the proliferation of weapons violence.

Immigration status as a determinant of health information-seeking behavior among undergraduates of color at an urban commuter college.

Background: Health information-seeking behavior (HISB) of college students is of importance due to health information inconsistencies at a time when personal independence and concurrent personal health decision making may be increased. Currently, there is a dearth of research about the HISB of college students, especially from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify and describe the sources college students use when engaging in HISB; and to explore associations between HISB and demographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate students at a diverse, public institution in New York City. The sample was drawn from an institutional social science research pool and asked to complete a survey on HISB. A total of 226 respondents completed the survey. Results: The believed accuracy of the information found online was positively correlated with related behaviors and beliefs. The number of followers on Instagram proved to be an important mediator of HISB of college students. The number of followers a health information provider has was fittingly positively correlated with the belief that social media is a helpful resource for health information r(233)=0.18, P=0.01. Students from families with two or more generations living in the United States accessed health professionals more frequently than students from one or less generation (χ2=8.107(2), P=0.017). Conclusion: Targeted educational programs designed to increase health information seeking skills, including discernment of information quality should be a priority for college students.

Differences in health behaviors related to overweight/obesity by race/ethnicity in a diverse urban commuter college

Objective: To examine health behaviors associated with overweight/obesity by race/ethnicity at a diverse urban college. Participants: 270 undergraduates (77.0% female; 26.7% non-Hispanic white) and median body mass index (BMI) of 23.1 kg/m2. Methods: A questionnaire about health-related behaviors as part of the “Get Fruved” project was used to measure health behaviors (sugar sweetened beverage (SSB), fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, stress, and sleep) by race/ethnicity. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the adjusted odds of engaging in positive health-related behaviors. Results: Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic students were 64% and 59% less likely to consume lower amounts of SSB. Hispanic students were 83% and 81% less likely to meet vegetable and fruit recommendations. Non-Hispanic black and other (including biracial) had reduced odds of meeting vegetable recommendations (AOR = 0.18 and 0.28). Conclusions: Disparities in SSB, fruit, and vegetable consumption represent potential intervention targets to improve health behaviors among racial/ethnic minorities.

Community Violence Exposure and Academic Performance: Examining the Roles of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Sleep Quantity and Quality among College Students

ABSTRACT The current study sought to address the roles of PTSD symptoms, low sleep quantity, and poor sleep quality in the association between community violence exposure and college academic performance. College students (N = 267) from an urban commuter college were surveyed between Fall 2012 to Spring 2016. The age range of the sample was 17 to 29 (M = 20.26, SD = 2.19) and 75.7% were females. Findings indicate that students were exposed to multiple types of community violence and other potentially traumatic events. There was a significant association between community violence exposure and lower GPA, but this association was not directly mediated by accounting for sleep difficulties. Findings may be influenced by sex and race differences. Our findings suggest that screening for community violence exposure among college students might identify students who may benefit from greater academic support as well as greater psychological support.

Food Insecurity Prevalence and Correlates in a Diverse Urban College Student Population (P04-054-19)

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and to examine its correlates among students at an urban commuter-college. MethodsCross-sectional survey of 450 students enrolled at an urban commuter-college. Chi-square test was used to assess differences in socio-demographics characteristics, overweight/obesity status, fruit and vegetable consumption and perceived stress by food security level. ResultsAmong students surveyed, 25.6% were food insecure with 12.2% having low food security and 13.3% having very low food security. The rate of food insecurity was significantly higher in black (55.6%) and Hispanic (52.7%) students compared to white (17.7%) and Asian (28.2%) students (P < 0.01). Older students (25–40 y) were also more likely to be food insecure than younger (≤ 25 y) students (42.5% vs. 28.1%; P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in fruit and vegetable consumption, overweight/obese status or perceived stress among food secure and food insecure students. ConclusionsFood insecurity was found to be a prevalent problem in this sample, particularly in older, Black and Hispanic students. Colleges and universities must provide options and resources for low-income students to help increase access to and affordability of nutritious foods. Funding Sources“This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number ____________. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

Effects Of A Peer-led Aerobic Training Program On Physical Activity Behavior Of Urban College Students

PURPOSE: Peer-based education is commonly used on college campuses to provide health information. Using it to introduce physical activity to ethnically-diverse sedentary students attending an urban commuter college has not been explored. We examined the impact of a 10-week peer-based aerobic-exercise (AE) training program on urban college students’ leisure physical activity behavior. METHODS: Inactive students (N = 23, mean age: 21 ± 2.24 yrs) participated in a 10-week training program consisting of approximately 3 weekly AE sessions. Once-per-week sessions led by a peer-student trainer included a short lecture on exercise’s health benefits followed by 30 mins of AE (55%-65% HRR); participants were instructed to complete 2 other AE sessions independently per week and completed weekly online journals to assess adherence. Pre- and post-training evaluations of AE behavior patterns [International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)] were conducted in the weeks prior to and following the exercise program and one month (30-IPAQ) and 90 days (90-IPAQ) after the conclusion of training. Descriptive statistics describing program participation and adherence are presented. Paired-samples t-tests were conducted comparing pre- and post-training cardiovascular fitness. RESULTS: Each week 19.1 ± 1.66 participants attended a peer-led session, training at THR of 142.61 ± 22.88. Participants completed a mean of 8.3 ± 1.26 sessions out of the expected 10. They completed a mean of 2.39 ± 1.95 d·wk-1; 34.85 ± 19.62 min·session-1 independently. Twenty (86.96%) participants completed the 90-IPAQ thus, students’ leisure physical activity analysis included only these 20 participants. Pre-IPAQ data demonstrated that 25% of participants engaged in leisure physical activity at a mean of 164 ± 120 MET-min·wk-1. One month following the training period 60% of participants exercised at a mean of 434.38 ±395.76 MET-min·wk-1; 90-IPAQ data demonstrated 55% of participants continued to engage in leisure physical activity at 488.73 ± 381.33 MET-min·wk-1 on average. There was no significant effect of aerobic training on participants’ cardiovascular fitness level. CONCLUSION: Participation in a peer-led aerobic training program may serve as a gateway to adopting a low level of leisure physical activity by urban college students.

Time and support do not heal all wounds: Mental health correlates of past bullying among college students

Objective: We examined whether perceptions of being bullied during middle and high school were associated with depressive, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during college. We also examined whether perceived social support (PSS) mediated the association between bullying and symptoms, and explored whether parental, peer, or other sources of support was most beneficial. Participants: Undergraduates (N = 270) from an urban commuter college in the Northeast participated during Spring 2013 or Fall 2015. Methods: Psychometrically sound self-report measures were used to assess symptoms and perceptions of bullying and social support. Results: As hypothesized, bullying was associated with more symptoms, and PSS significantly mediated the associations between bullying and symptoms of PTSD and depression. Conclusion: The college years provide another opportunity to address the effects of middle and high school bullying. Receiving current support for past bullying is beneficial but is not enough, college counseling services are needed to reduce symptoms.

Tailoring Library Instruction for Non-Science Majors Taking Hybrid and Online Science Classes: Student Perceptions of Information Literacy in the Virtual Environment

An instruction librarian and a biology professor at a small, urban commuter college campus worked together to provide research instruction to non-science majors in selected hybrid and online biological sciences classes. They collaboratively designed in-class and online learning tools, as well as homework assignments aimed at developing non-science majors’ information literacy skills. Through an array of innovative technologies and pedagogical models (including online screencasts, Twitter conversations, and embedded librarianship), they sought to engage non-science majors in the scientific discourse and to encourage them to access and assess reputable online science materials. This study explores the efficacy of their pedagogical partnership.

Intimate Partner Violence Risk among Undergraduate Women from an Urban Commuter College: the Role of Navigating Off- and On-Campus Social Environments.

The current attention that is being paid to college sexual assault in policy circles and popular media overlooks a critical issue: the possible role played by the urban social environment in intimate partner violence (IPV) risk for the large number of urban commuter college students throughout the USA and beyond. This article helps to illuminate this dynamic using qualitative research collected at an urban commuter campus in New York City. Specifically, we conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews with 18 female undergraduate students, exploring the nature and consequences of IPV in students' lives, perceived prevalence of IPV, and resources for addressing IPV. Our results indicate that college attendance may both elevate and protect against IPV risk for students moving between urban off- and on-campus social environments. Based on this, we present a preliminary model of IPV risk for undergraduate women attending urban commuter colleges. In particular, we find that enrolling in college can sometimes elevate risk of IPV when a partner seeks to limit and control their student partner's experience of college and/or is threatened by what may be achieved by the partner through attending college. These findings suggest a role for urban commuter colleges in helping to mitigate IPV risk through policy formulation and comprehensive ongoing screening and prevention activities.

Use of Trans Fat Information on Food Labels and Its Determinants in a Multiethnic College Student Population

Objectives To examine the correlates of trans fat knowledge and trans fat label use; to examine the influence of trans fat knowledge, trans fat label use, and dietary attitudes on intake of high trans fat food. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting An urban commuter college. Subjects Two hundred twenty-two college students. Variables measured Trans fat knowledge, food label use, high trans fat food consumption, dietary attitudes, and sociodemographic factors. Analysis Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed relationships between trans fat knowledge, trans fat label use, and consumption of high trans fat food. Results Thirty-seven percent of participants reported never using trans fat information on food labels. Males and minority ethnic groups were less likely to report always using trans fat label information and displayed lower trans fat knowledge compared to females and non-Hispanic whites, respectively. Trans fat knowledge and importance of eating a low-fat diet were positively associated with both food label use and use of trans fat information on food labels. Nonuse of food labels and trans fat information on food labels were associated with higher consumption of fried food. Conclusions and Implications Trans fat education and promotion of food label use is needed in college students, especially in high-risk groups such as males and ethnic minorities.

The Influence of Parental Attachment on the College Adjustment of White, Black, and Latina/Hispanic Women: A Cross-Cultural Investigation

Although race and parental attachment are concepts that have been widely researched, few studies have explored how these variables manifest themselves among women or influence their adjustment to college. This study examined how parental attachment effected college adjustment among White, Black, and Latina/Hispanic women attending an urban commuter college. Attachment patterns were measured using the Parental Attachment Questionnaire (), and college adjustment was assessed using the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (). Results revealed that parental attachment significantly predicted aspects of college adjustment differentially for each racial subgroup. Implications regarding the experiences of diverse groups of female students attending large urban commuter institutions are discussed.

Journal Use by Graduate Students as Indicated by Master's Theses Bibliographies at an Urban Commuter College, 1991–2004

Abstract Citation analyses were carried out on master's theses in three disciplines: forensic psychology, forensic science, and criminal justice, completed and deposited in the John Jay College Library from 1991 to 2004. The aim was to determine the effect of availability of electronic journals on students' choice of references. The number of journal citations and the ratio of journal articles to all citations were assessed. Criminal justice theses listed more citations than either science or psychology theses, but relatively fewer journal articles. An increase over time was seen in the number of journal articles cited and in the ratio of journal articles to all citations only for the psychology theses. Few students identified whether the work cited was consulted in electronic or print format.

The Impact of Electronic Full-Text Resources on Interlibrary Loan

This article presents the results of a study performed on the interlibrary loan patron request records at the library of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, an urban commuter college with a specialized curriculum. The findings suggest that the increasing availability of electronic full-text resources has had a significant impact on the volume of faculty and graduate student interlibrary loan borrowing of nonreturnable, photocopied materials. This appears to be the case across disciplines and regardless of the currency of the needed materials. The downward trend in demand for these materials may be outpacing actual full-text availability. This may suggest that content is being replaced with convenience. This could have implications for reference librarians and their role in the research process. Declining demand may also provide interlibrary loan librarians and their staff opportunities to alter their services and develop new skills.

Relational influences on career paths: Siblings in context.

This investigation examined participants' perceptions of sibling relational influence on career exploration and decision making. Career path influence on sibling relationships and times when these relationships were most important also were explored. Individual interviews were conducted with urban commuter college students, and narrative data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research methods as described by C. E. Hill, B. J. Thompson, and E. N. Williams (1997). Consistent with attachment theory (J. Bowlby, 1982) and literature on social support (C. E. Cutrona, 1996), one of the most prominent factors associated with relational influence was multidimensional social support. Predictable differences were found in relational influence between participants' most important siblings and other siblings.

Diet, exercise, and physical discomfort in college students.

778 students in a 4-yr. urban commuter college were tested to determine the effects of exercise and diet on self-reported discomfort. High exercisers reported significantly less physical discomfort than moderate or low exercisers. Greater consumption of sweets and fast food were significantly related to reported physical discomfort regardless of levels of exercise. High levels of fruit and vegetable consumption were associated with less discomfort in high exercisers. High dairy consumption was significantly related to fewer symptoms for high exercisers. Men who reported high ingestion of caffeine had significantly more discomfort than those who reported moderate to lower ingestion of caffeine.

The needs of women returning to school

Many women who have experienced an extended interruption in their formal education find that their decision to return to school is both serious and significant. This article describes the special needs of women returning to school and analyzes these needs on both psychological and practical levels. The author offers suggestions about how colleges in general and student personnel workers in particular might help meet these needs, and she highlights programs and practices developed at one college. The discussion is based primarily on the experiences of women who are regular matriculated day session students at an urban commuter college. Observations are drawn from interviews, group discussions, and a questionnaire.

A comparison of drug users and non-users on an urban commuter college campus.

Questionnaires designed to elicit demographic and drug experience data were completed by 591 students of an urban communter campus. One hundred and thirty-nine students (24%) identified themselves as having had some experience with drugs. As compared to the non-user, the drug user was older and further advanced in his academic study. He tended to be engaged in liberal arts studies, rather than in a more specialized program, and he did not affiliate himself with a religious faith. He was an urban resident, lived independently of his parents, and was engaged in part-time employment. His parents were distinctly middle class in terms of education, occupation and salary, and his relationship with them was described as “neutral” or conflicted.” There were no significant differences between drug users and non-users in terms of sex, ethnic background, or academic standing, nor was the drug user easily or realistically discriminable from the total population in terms of other aspects of family structure measured i...