The Impact of Hmong Students' Motivation and Parental Support in Pursuing a Higher Education

• In Event: Crown Plaza Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Beyond East Asia: The Pursuit of Higher Education

Abstract

Despite the growing population of Hmong students in the U.S., few scholarly studies examine the college trajectories of Hmong students. The present study investigated whether motivation and parental support were significant predictors of the pursuit of a higher education among Hmong college students. Demographic findings highlight the specific risks they experience, including poverty, parents’ low educational attainment, and a high percentage of first-generation college going students. Findings further suggest that resources external to the individuals, like social support, may be more important in predicting college commitment than those that are internal (e.g., motivation). Research that examines the factors influencing Hmong college students’ pursuit of a higher education provide insight into practical ways to enhance their quality of education.

Authors

• Seng Vang

• Diane Sookyoung Lee, California State University - Sacramento

• Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, California State University - Sacramento