First Year Students’ Views of Support from Parents, Friends, and Campus Personnel Dr. Sandy Bell, Dr. Jennifer Lease Butts, and Dr. Sue A. Saunders First-Year Students Research Symposium University of Connecticut September 26, 2008

Purpose of the Study To understand whom first-year students turn to for advice and support as they make the transition to college To understand whom first-year students turn to for advice and support as they make the transition to college Whom do students identify as supportive assets in their transition? Whom do students identify as supportive assets in their transition? To what degree are these people seen as supportive? To what degree are these people seen as supportive? To clarify the roles that parents and friends play in the transition of today’s college students To clarify the roles that parents and friends play in the transition of today’s college students

Review of the Literature Schlossberg’s transition theory (1995) – situation, self, support and strategies Schlossberg’s transition theory (1995) – situation, self, support and strategies Supportive campus environment as a predictor of retention and success (Kuh & Hu, 2001; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005) Supportive campus environment as a predictor of retention and success (Kuh & Hu, 2001; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005) Peer leaders can enhance the transition for first- year students (Carns, Carns, & Wright, 1993; Kuh, Kinzie, Schuh, & Whitt, 2005) Peer leaders can enhance the transition for first- year students (Carns, Carns, & Wright, 1993; Kuh, Kinzie, Schuh, & Whitt, 2005) HERI report on connection between college students and parents (Pryor, Hurtado, Sharkness, & Korn, 2007) HERI report on connection between college students and parents (Pryor, Hurtado, Sharkness, & Korn, 2007)

Methods Sample Sample Approximately 2700 students enrolled in FYE courses during the fall of 2006 Approximately 2700 students enrolled in FYE courses during the fall of responded to the on-line survey, representing 22.5% of the target population 607 responded to the on-line survey, representing 22.5% of the target population 61% female 61% female 89% lived on campus 89% lived on campus 21% were members of the Honors Program 21% were members of the Honors Program 18% lived in a First-Year Learning Community 18% lived in a First-Year Learning Community 33% had not declared a major 33% had not declared a major

Methods On-line Survey On-line Survey Students identified whom they regarded as the first, second, and third most supportive individuals in their transition Students identified whom they regarded as the first, second, and third most supportive individuals in their transition Students rated the degree of support they received from six different types of individuals on an 11-point scale(0 = not at all supporting, 5 = somewhat supportive, 10 = extremely supportive) Students rated the degree of support they received from six different types of individuals on an 11-point scale(0 = not at all supporting, 5 = somewhat supportive, 10 = extremely supportive) Data analyses included descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, correlations, and effect size calculations to identify group differences and relationships between demographic variables and perceptions of support Data analyses included descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, correlations, and effect size calculations to identify group differences and relationships between demographic variables and perceptions of support

Survey options for 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd most supportive persons in college transition Survey options for 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd most supportive persons in college transition Parents or Guardians Brothers or Sisters Friend from home Mentor from home (such as teacher, coach, community leader) Friend from the University FYE course Faculty or Staff FYE course Peer Mentor or Facilitator Faculty in course other than FYE course Staff member (such as Hall Director) Academic Advisor Community Assistant Other peer leader (such as Cultural Center Mentor) Other (please specify _______________________

Results Figure 1 – Most supportive persons

Results Perceptions of Home versus Campus Supports Number of times Home supports or Campus supports selected as first, second, or third most supportive (n = )

Results Perceived Level of Support from Six Types of Persons (scale 0-10) (n = )

Results Group Differences Group Differences Overall, homogeneity in student perceptions resulted in few group differences Overall, homogeneity in student perceptions resulted in few group differences Compared to males, females rated higher support from home friends Compared to males, females rated higher support from home friends Compared to off-campus students, students living on-campus rated higher support from home friends and campus peer leaders Compared to off-campus students, students living on-campus rated higher support from home friends and campus peer leaders Compared to non-FYLC students, students living in FYLC’s rated higher support from parents and peer leaders Compared to non-FYLC students, students living in FYLC’s rated higher support from parents and peer leaders Effect size for all group differences was medium-small Effect size for all group differences was medium-small

Implications Parents are a primary source of support for most students Parents are a primary source of support for most students Students develop very quickly support networks with peers on campus Students develop very quickly support networks with peers on campus Campus community can help encourage healthy behavior and a supportive environment Campus community can help encourage healthy behavior and a supportive environment Mental models for working with parents may need to change Mental models for working with parents may need to change

Questions? Questions about the methodology Questions about the methodology Questions about the findings Questions about the findings Discussion forthcoming on implications and recommendations for practice Discussion forthcoming on implications and recommendations for practice