Cultural Mismatch: First-generation College Students, Academic Performance, and Mental Health

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dc.contributor.advisorPino, Nathan W.
dc.contributor.authorHartfield, Kimberly N.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberWatt, Toni T.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberDeSoto, William H.
dc.date.accessioned2020-07-30T19:38:06Z
dc.date.available2020-07-30T19:38:06Z
dc.date.issued2020-08
dc.description.abstractThe present achievement gap amid first-generation college students (FGCS) and their peers continues to increase as FGCS experience unique barriers that reflect their socioeconomic and cultural background. Additionally, FGCS are traditionally from underrepresented groups and lack vital resources to promote their academic success before and after attending college. This combination of barriers creates a cultural mismatch for FGCS because they are unable to meet the middle- and upper-class norms present in institutions of higher education. This qualitative analysis examines the academic performance, mental health, help-seeking, and coping behavior of FGCS through the lens of cultural mismatch theory. To further understand their experience, 12 in-depth interviews were conducted with undergraduate FGCS at Texas State University. It was revealed that FGCS do experience several challenges that prevent them from fully meeting the demands of college, which ultimately creates a cultural mismatch for them. The participants' cultural mismatch directly affected their academic performance and mental health. Consequently, the FGCS learned to help-seek and cope with their struggles to remain afloat and resilient.
dc.description.departmentSociology
dc.formatText
dc.format.extent55 pages
dc.format.medium1 file (.pdf)
dc.identifier.citationHartfield, K. N. (2020). <i>Cultural mismatch: First-generation college students, academic performance, and mental health</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10877/12252
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectFirst-generation college students
dc.subjectCultural mismatch theory
dc.subjectAcademic performance
dc.subjectMental health
dc.subjectCoping
dc.subjectHelp-seeking
dc.subject.lcshFirst-generation college students
dc.subject.lcshEducation, Higher--Social aspects
dc.subject.lcshBelonging (Social psychology)
dc.titleCultural Mismatch: First-generation College Students, Academic Performance, and Mental Health
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.departmentSociology
thesis.degree.disciplineSociology
thesis.degree.grantorTexas State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts

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