Blind Spots in Belonging Intervention Research: Lessons Learned From a Participatory Mixed-Method Randomized Control Trial

• In Event: Asset-Based Approaches to Centering Race, Ethnicity, and Culture in Motivation Research

Abstract

The social-belonging intervention (Walton & Brady, 2021) has been tested in more than a dozen randomized controlled trials over the last several years, yet findings across studies are mixed and little is known about the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of the intervention (Walton, 2022). We argue that blind spots spanning study design, intervention development, and deficit-based perspectives restrict the possible success of the intervention. We discuss the development and findings of a participatory mixed-method randomized control trial adapting the social-belonging intervention and explore the limitations and promise of shedding light on the blind spots inherent in our work and others' to advance future scholarship aiming to bolster student belonging in ways that are both strengths-based and intentional.

Authors

• Sharon Zumbrunn, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Michael Broda, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Korinthia D. Nicolai, Indiana University

• Molly L. Taylor, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Danielle N. Berry, University of Oklahoma

• Tanya Wineland, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Kali Ann Victoria Delay, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Viyana Banjade, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Navdeep Sekhon, Virginia Commonwealth University