School activity participation and sense of belonging among U.S. college students.
Saved in:
| Title: | School activity participation and sense of belonging among U.S. college students. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Dearth-Wesley, Tracy (AUTHOR), Herman, Allison N. (AUTHOR), Whitaker, Robert C. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of American College Health. May2026, Vol. 74 Issue 5, p1178-1187. 10p. |
| Subjects: | Cross-sectional method, Medical care use, Secondary analysis, Group identity, Gender identity, Data analysis, Mental health, Schools, Undergraduates, Multiple regression analysis, Questionnaires, Descriptive statistics, Social integration, Leisure, Surveys, Attitude (Psychology), Race, Academic achievement, Dance, Statistics, Psychology of college students, Athletic ability, Confidence intervals, Data analysis software, Social participation |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | Objective: To determine whether activity participation is associated with a greater sense of belonging among U.S. college students. Participants: Cross-sectional survey data from the 2023–2024 Healthy Minds Study (n = 27,965 students [148 institutions]). Methods: Students reported participation in 18 activities, which were grouped into four categories: academic/major, athletic/dance, service/identity, and social. Participation was assessed by any activity, activity type, category, and number of activity categories (diversity). Belonging scores were compared between participants and non-participants and across subgroups for three student characteristics: gender identity, race and ethnicity, and first-generation status. Results: Belonging scores were significantly (p <.001) higher for participants than non-participants for any activity, 16 of 18 activity types, all activity categories, and with greater activity diversity. Activity participation was positively associated with belonging across all student subgroups (p <.005). Conclusions: Activity participation was associated with greater belonging across a range of activity types and categories and with greater activity diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of American College Health is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Objective: To determine whether activity participation is associated with a greater sense of belonging among U.S. college students. Participants: Cross-sectional survey data from the 2023–2024 Healthy Minds Study (n = 27,965 students [148 institutions]). Methods: Students reported participation in 18 activities, which were grouped into four categories: academic/major, athletic/dance, service/identity, and social. Participation was assessed by any activity, activity type, category, and number of activity categories (diversity). Belonging scores were compared between participants and non-participants and across subgroups for three student characteristics: gender identity, race and ethnicity, and first-generation status. Results: Belonging scores were significantly (p <.001) higher for participants than non-participants for any activity, 16 of 18 activity types, all activity categories, and with greater activity diversity. Activity participation was positively associated with belonging across all student subgroups (p <.005). Conclusions: Activity participation was associated with greater belonging across a range of activity types and categories and with greater activity diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 07448481 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/07448481.2025.2555600 |
