Finding Place: Cognitive and Psychosocial Factors Impacting Students' Sense of Belonging

• In Event: Fostering a Supportive Campus Environment: Understanding Social Integration From Multiple Perspectives

Abstract

Guided by theoretical models of student success, we examined the predictive nature of a set of background, financial, and psychosocial factors influencing a student’s sense of belonging. The intent of the research was to focus on several theoretical approaches to student success that incorporate various aspects of students’ social, academic, and interpersonal experiences as well as their cultural assets. The conceptual framework was guided by research on student engagement, mentoring, validation, community cultural wealth, and student assets. Hierarchical linear regression indicated that theory-driven variables included in the model accurately accounted for students’ sense of belonging. Successive blocks of variables added to the equation significantly increased the variance explained (R2) from its original base model to the final model (R2=.466).

Authors

• Amaury Nora, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Vincent D Carales, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Laura I. Rendon, The University of Texas - San Antonio