The Effects of a Difference-Education Intervention on Financial Stress in First-Generation College Students

• In Event: Stress and Coping in Higher Education

Abstract

Financial stress represents an overwhelming amount of worry, fear and anxiety that is caused by numerous underlying factors such as debt, food insecurity, and poverty. Frequently, this hardship is experienced by first-generation students who come from low-income families and in turn, leads to an impediment in their own academic achievement. This study utilized an online difference-education mindset intervention to reduce the negative effects of financial stress and increase positive psychological outcomes in first-generation undergraduate students. After conducting independent t-tests, our intervention group (n=39) demonstrated higher levels of psychological thriving and competence compared to the control group (n=40); however, no significant decrease in financial stress was found between students.

Author

• Ana Guadalupe Vielma, The University of Texas at Austin