Stepfamily Social Capital and Educational Involvement in Child College Perceptions: A Latent Cluster Analysis

• In Event: 47.037 - The Family Goes to College: Understanding Family Engagement in College Choice and Access for Diverse Students

Abstract

Children in stepfamilies may experience educational difficulties due to family transitions which may lead to negative college perceptions. However, access to more resources may enhance these perceptions, particularly through (step)parent social capital and involvement in school. Therefore, using a latent cluster analysis, this study examined how different levels of (step)parent social capital and involvement in school influenced child college perceptions (i.e. feelings of school belongingness, perceptions of college importance, college preparation, and parent’s college support). Data was from Wave I and II of the High School Longitudinal Study (HLHS) of 2009-2012 (N=490). Five clusters were identified and a MANCOVA was used to identify differences. Higher (step)parental social capital and involvement in school is positively related to child college perceptions.

Authors

• Frank Perrone, Indiana University - Bloomington

• David Lardier, University of New Mexico

• Jacqueline Bible, Montclair State University

• Brad van Eeden-Moorefield, Montclair State University