1. A path analysis of the effect of perceived weight discrimination on
college student retention
Sayeedul Islam, Vahe Permzadian, Rownak Choudhury, and Marla Johnston
Farmingdale State College University At Albany Nova Southeastern University Farmingdale State College
Abstract
Goals of study
Results
Randle (2012) found a relationship between perceived weight discrimination and turnover. Little work has been done on perceived weight discrimination and college adjustment. 212 undergraduates completed a survey assessing perceived weight discrimination, college adjustment, self-esteem and college social adjustment. A path analysis indicated that our proposed model was partially supported.
The current study hopes to replicate these findings in the college environment. The current study will look at academic citizenship behaviors which are defined as “students helping others with their schoolwork” (Gore, Kiefner, & Combs, 2012).
Methods
Participants
216 undergrads (54%female) using online survey
Measures
Perceived weight discrimination: Randle (2012)
College Persistence Questionnaire: Davidson, Beck, and Milligan (2009) measuring Institutional Commitment, Degree Commitment, Academic Integration, and Social Integration, and intent to persist
Social self-efficacy: Sherer (1982)
Academic Citizenship Behaviors: adapted version of Williams and Shiaw’s (1999) scale
Adjustment: Lovibond and Lovibond (1995) measuring stress, anxiety, and depression
Analytic procedure
We used path analysis in order to test fit of proposed model to data using LISREL 8.8 (Joreskog & Sorbom, 2006).
We estimated the fit of our models by consulting the following fit indices: comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR), and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), along with its 90% confidence interval (CI).
CFI and GFI values around .90 or greater, SRMR values less than .08, and RMSEA values at or less than .05 are considered indicative of close fit (Byrne, 2005).
Introduction
Research has shown a relationship between perceived weight discrimination, organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behaviors in the workplace (Roehling, 1999; Randle, 2012). Little work has been done on the effects of perceived weight discrimination on adjustment in the college/university campus setting. Research has shown the effects of difficulty with weight on college students’ adjustment to campus life (Craig & Richeson, 2012). Little work has been done on the effect that perceptions of weight discrimination have on student experience factors such as student adjustment, college turnover intentions, and institutional commitment. There has also been little research analyzing the effect of self-efficacy (both social and general) as a moderator in the relationship between perceived weight discrimination and college student adjustment and turnover intentions (Randle, 2012; Chen, 2001). Research in the area of industrial-organizational psychology has already shown a relationship between discrimination and turnover intentions (McKay, Avery, Tonidandel, Hernandez, & Hebl, 2007).
Discussion
Our path model fit to data was less than acceptable, CFI = .75, GFI = .89, SRMR=.16, RMSEA=.14 (90% CIs=.12, .16). While the present research provides some support for the relationship between perceived weight discrimination and college student adjustment, the current study also provides initial support of the relationship between weight discrimination and its effects on student behavior. Another limitation is that many of the students at who participated were commuters to campus. Perhaps the relationship between perceived weight discrimination and student adjustment is stronger on a campus where the majority of students live on campus.