Sense of Belonging in a Majority-Minority Hispanic Serving Institution

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Sense of Belonging in a Majority-Minority Hispanic Serving Institution
Language: English
Authors: Christopher Donoghue (ORCID 0000-0002-9322-1173), Richard S. Reinschmidt (ORCID 0009-0005-8268-5713), Lauren Chow
Source: Journal of Latinos and Education. 2025 24(1):235-249.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Hispanic American Students, Minority Serving Institutions, Sense of Community, Social Discrimination, Ethnic Groups, Hunger, Poverty, Housing Needs, Peer Acceptance, Social Isolation, Self Actualization, Academic Achievement
DOI: 10.1080/15348431.2024.2370851
ISSN: 1534-8431
1532-771X
Abstract: Sense of belonging is a fundamental human need that can raise the chances of self-actualization and academic success in college. Latine and other historically underrepresented student groups may experience greater challenges in this area than White students due to a greater propensity for feelings of belonging uncertainty, perceptions of inequality or experiences with microaggressions, or greater struggles with food and housing insecurities, even when they outnumber White students on campus. In this study, we utilized a person-centered approach to explore the heterogeneity in belonging in a large sample of undergraduate students (N = 2,003) between the ages of 18 and 25 at a majority-minority Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). We also used multinomial analysis to determine whether Latine and other non-White students, as well as those experiencing greater food and housing insecurities, were more likely to experience lower levels of belonging than their peers. The data pointed to three profiles of belonging, the lowest of which was characterized by low peer support and high isolation. Latine and Black students, and those experiencing more food and housing insecurities, were all more likely to identify with the Low Peer Support/High Isolation Profile.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1454193
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:Sense of belonging is a fundamental human need that can raise the chances of self-actualization and academic success in college. Latine and other historically underrepresented student groups may experience greater challenges in this area than White students due to a greater propensity for feelings of belonging uncertainty, perceptions of inequality or experiences with microaggressions, or greater struggles with food and housing insecurities, even when they outnumber White students on campus. In this study, we utilized a person-centered approach to explore the heterogeneity in belonging in a large sample of undergraduate students (N = 2,003) between the ages of 18 and 25 at a majority-minority Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). We also used multinomial analysis to determine whether Latine and other non-White students, as well as those experiencing greater food and housing insecurities, were more likely to experience lower levels of belonging than their peers. The data pointed to three profiles of belonging, the lowest of which was characterized by low peer support and high isolation. Latine and Black students, and those experiencing more food and housing insecurities, were all more likely to identify with the Low Peer Support/High Isolation Profile.
ISSN:1534-8431
1532-771X
DOI:10.1080/15348431.2024.2370851