Anchored in intersectionality theory and minority stress theory, this study examined campus climate and sense of belonging for 77,997 undergraduates at 49 North American higher education institutions. This study was guided by three research questions: (Q1) What is the relationship between undergraduate students' sense of belonging outcomes and…

The purpose of this study was to explore preservice music teachers' (PSMTs) perceptions of teaching contexts. Specifically, I examined the experiences and beliefs PSMTs (n = 91) had related to rural, urban, and suburban settings for student teaching and future employment. Findings revealed that most PSMTs preferred teaching contexts that were…

Student self-efficacy, their confidence to successfully perform a task, is positively related to course performance. Students with high self-efficacy for a task are more motivated toward that task. Yet few studies have measured students' self-efficacy and motivation levels after exams are returned in introductory biology classes or studied how…

Individual differences are important predictors of academic success. A sense of purpose in life is gaining increasing attention as a key individual difference factor to foster in university students. The current study examined whether a sense of purpose in life, a dispositional tendency to pursue goals and activities in line with one's overarching…

This study introduces a novel Learner-Intention Continuum, spanning from curiosity and exploration to purposeful, goal-directed learning. This continuum fills a critical gap in understanding the diverse motivations of informal and semi-formal learners, specifically those who enroll in massive open online courses (MOOCs). Through latent class…

Objective: Grounded in the Social Rank Theory, this study examined the levels and associations of subjective social status (SSS), depressive symptoms (DEP), and suicidal ideation (SI). Participants: Participants included 956 U.S. college students (M[subscript age] = 19.94, SD[subscript age] = 2.78; 75% females [n = 716], 24% males [n = 228], 41%…

Objective: We studied current psychotherapy utilization rates among college students with mental health problems and identified characteristics associated with differential utilization. Participants: Nationwide online survey of students screening positive for at least one clinical mental health problem (N = 18,435). Methods: Rates and correlates…

Objective: To assess the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on college students' stress, life satisfaction, and college experiences and investigate sources of resilience. Participants: 1,042 students from 11 U.S. colleges and universities. Methods: Longitudinal study with surveys in winter 2018-2019 and fall 2021. Interviews with 54 survey respondents,…

Online courses have become an increasingly common feature of the higher education landscape, expanding access and offering flexibility for students. Yet, they also pose unique challenges. Research has documented concerning performance gaps between students enrolled in face-to-face and online courses, while faculty have reported difficulties…

With the increasing use of virtual reality (VR) technology in education, it is crucial to understand the factors that affect its effectiveness. One area where VR has been utilized is in online orientation, which can be especially beneficial for distant students to start their university programs. This study examines the impact of the learner…

During their first year of study at university, many students encounter challenges in developing learning strategies that align with success in the courses in which they are enrolled. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the challenges as universities were compelled to transition to online learning. Therefore, this study investigated…

Objective: Loneliness is increasingly acknowledged as a public health concern due to its association with morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of loneliness is highest in the post-secondary population. Understanding the correlates of loneliness may assist in developing policy and program interventions. Participants and Methods: Post-secondary…

Past research has focused primarily on the cross-cultural adaptation of expatriates upon arrival in the host country, but few studies have explored the prior cross-cultural contact and adjustment experiences of international students. This study examined the impact of prior cross-cultural exposure on the cross-cultural adaptation of Asian and…

Promoting diversity and inclusion is crucial in today's educational settings for the success of every student. This research delves into the important aspect of undergraduates' readiness to embrace diversity within the academic sphere. Rooted in a positivist ideology with quantitative analysis, the study investigates the correlation between the…

Objective: We examined whether meaningful subgroups of self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) would emerge within a pool of first-year college students already deemed at elevated risk. Participants: First-year undergraduates (N = 1,068) recruited in 2015-2018 Fall terms. Methods: Past-year nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) frequency, past-year number of…