Latinx College Students in a PWI: Perceptions of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA), Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction, and Access to Mentorship
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/hd74rz15Keywords:
basic psychological needs, first-generation, inclusion, diversity, equity, access, LatinxAbstract
Latinx students’ college enrollment has dramatically increased. However, Latinx students in predominantly White institutions (PWIs) still face challenges given the racial disparities in inclusion, diversity, equity, access (IDEA), and psychological wellbeing (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). In addition, first-generation college students (students whose parents did not receive a four-year US bachelor’s degree) also encounter challenges given the lack of institutional knowledge compared to their non-first-generation peers (students whose parents have at least one US bachelor’s degree from a four-year higher education institution). The current study elicited responses from 404 students. Results showed that Latinx and first-generation college students reported lower perceptions of IDEA and a lower sense of basic psychological needs satisfaction than their White and non-first-generation peers. Practical and policy implications are provided for higher education administrators, faculty, and staff when working with Latinx and first-generation students. Results indicated the urgent need to respond to basic psychological needs among Latinx students and first-generation college students through policy-making and prioritizing student events to support Latinx students’ academic and social activities.
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