Leveraging Social Relationships and Help-Seeking Among Latina/o/x Community College Students: Exploring Gender Differences

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Leveraging Peer Relationships and Classroom Dynamics (Table 4)

Abstract

Latina/o/x students represent one of the fastest-growing segments in community colleges, yet achievement gaps persist, particularly for Latino men. This study examined how Latina/o/x students leverage social relationships for academic purposes and engage in various help-seeking behaviors. Using structural equation modeling with a sample of 735 first-year Latina/o/x community college students, we investigated whether help-seeking tendencies mediated the relationship between leveraging social relationships and academic achievement. We also explored gender differences in these relationships. Instrumental help-seeking partially mediated the relationship between leveraging social relationships and GPA, with some differences between Latina women and Latino men. These findings highlight the importance of social capital and adaptive help-seeking for Latina/o/x community college students' success.

Authors

• Carlton J. Fong, Texas State University

• Pedram Zarei, Texas State Unniversity

• Cassandra Gonzales, Mercedes ISD

• Servet Altan, MEF University

• Pegah Peimani, Texas State University

• Tricia Edgel, Texas State University