ERIC Number: EJ723518
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 20
Abstractor: Author
Reference Count: 25
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1538-1927
Makin' It in College: The Value of Significant Individuals in the Lives of Mexican American Adolescents
Sanchez, Bernadette; Reyes, Olga; Singh, Joshua
Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, v5 n1 p48-67 2006
Using a social capital framework, the aim of this study was to examine the role of significant relationships in the academic experiences of Mexican American college students. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 students and 12 of the individuals in their lives who were considered important sources of support. Grounded theory was used to analyze data and various steps, such as member-checking, were taken to enhance the credibility of findings. Parents, peers, siblings, extended family members, and unrelated adults supported these students academically. Parents were the most frequently cited sources of support and played a significant role in motivating students in their education. However, because parents' relatively low educational status limited the kind of support they could provide, students also benefited from nonparental sources of support. There were five forms of support (e.g., emotional support, cognitive guidance) used to guide students in eight aspects of school life (e.g., college application process, classes). Implications for education and support programs are discussed.
Descriptors: Social Capital, Mexican Americans, College Students, Academic Achievement, Influences, Social Support Groups, Interpersonal Relationship, Student Motivation, Parent Influence
SAGE Publications, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243 (Toll Free); Fax: 800-583-2665 (Toll Free).
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

Peer reviewed
Direct link
