Development of a Measure of Student-College Life Fit: Exploring Formative Sources of College Adjustment, Achievement, and Engagement

• In Event: Motivation in Higher Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Student-College Life Fit (SCLF) scale with multifaceted sources of validity evidence based on scale content, internal structure, and relations to other variables. We aimed to develop a new scale with the enhanced utility to measure students’ psychological formation of adjustment and potential misfit as well as to predict successful indices of college life. The results of factor analyses supported the ability of the instrument for adequately measuring students’ current fit to college life with three distinct but related constructs. The work provides a foundational understanding of the underlying mechanism for college retention and dropouts and serves as an alternative conceptual model for explaining college students’ adjustment.

Authors

• Soohyun Yi, Texas Tech University

• Sungwon Shin, Texas Tech University

• Jaehoon Lee, Texas Tech University

• Kamau Siwatu, Texas Tech University

• Justin Nakhle, Texas Tech University