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Exploring Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Student Engagement for Black Collegians

Williams, Michael Steven
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1402571261

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Policy and Leadership.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the relationship between student engagement and sense of belonging for Black collegians. Using data from the NSSE, multivariate analyses were conducted to examine how student engagement affects Black collegians’ sense of belonging at a four-year institution of higher education and to probe for similarities and differences along sex lines. Independent samples t-test results suggest that there are no significant differences in reported sense of belonging for Black male and Black female collegians. Results from hierarchical linear regression analyses on (a) the aggregate analytic sample of Black collegians (N = 500), (b) a Black male subsample (N = 178), and (c) a Black female subsample (N = 322), respectively, suggest that measures of student engagement are statistically significant predictors of sense of belonging for Black collegians. Results also show that the influence of measures of student engagement on sense of belonging and the total variance explained by these measures differs by sex. In the final aggregate regression model, six variables were statistically significant predictors of sense of belonging. Gender, academic engagement, engagement with faculty and engagement with diverse peers were positive, significant predictors of sense of belonging. College classification, enrollment status, and engagement in active and collaborative learning were all negative, significant predictors in the aggregate model. Overall, the model accounted for 27% of the variance in Black collegians’ sense of belonging. In the final regression model based on the Black male subsample, three variables were statistically significant predictors of sense of belonging. Transfer status and engagement with faculty were positive, significant predictors of sense of belonging. Age was a negative, significant predictor in the Black male model. Overall, the model accounted for 73% of the variance in Black male collegians’ sense of belonging. Five statistically significant variables were predictors of sense of belonging in the final Black female regression model. Academic engagement, engagement with faculty and engagement with diverse peers were positive, significant predictors of sense of belonging. Transfer status and engagement in active and collaborative learning were both negative, significant predictors in the Black female model. Overall, the model accounted for 23% of the variance in Black female collegians’ sense of belonging. This study highlights the importance of engagement with faculty for Black male and female collegians’ sense of belonging. It underlines the positive contribution of academic engagement and engagement with diverse peers to Black female collegians’ sense of belonging. It also explores the way engagement in active and collaborative learning appears to detract from Black female collegians’ sense of belonging. Overall, the results of this study suggest that student engagement is important for fostering a sense of belonging for Black collegians at PWIs. However, the value and impact of various forms of engagement differ for Black male and female collegians. Implications for praxis, future research and theory are discussed.
Terrell Strayhorn, PhD (Advisor)
Tatiana Suspitsyna, PhD (Committee Member)
Michael Glassman, PhD (Committee Member)
156 p.
African Americans; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Social Psychology
sense of belonging; student engagement; Black collegians; Black women; Black men; higher education; student affairs; National Survey of Student Engagement; NSSE

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Williams, M. S. (2014). Exploring Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Student Engagement for Black Collegians [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1402571261

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Williams, Michael. Exploring Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Student Engagement for Black Collegians. 2014. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1402571261.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Williams, Michael. "Exploring Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Student Engagement for Black Collegians." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1402571261

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1402571261
1,614
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.
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