Historically, retaining students and maximizing their academic achievement has been a challenge for administrators in American colleges and universities. Since the mid-twentieth century, the sophomore year has increasingly been suspected of being a gateway to declining grades, decreased morale, and increased attrition among college students.…

A purposive sample (2 males, 3 females) of students (aged 18-29 years) with chronic illness completed standardized measures and a semi-structured interview. Content analysis of the interview data revealed two themes: stress exacerbating symptoms of illness and a desire for a support group on campus. Viewed through the theory of emerging adulthood,…

To understand the role and experience of a peer educator, it is imperative to examine the developmental issues and concerns associated with this stage of a student's life as well as the demands and challenges of a higher education community. For years, student affair professionals have used a breadth of theories to guide their efforts in…

We report findings from a meta-analysis of 156 studies conducted between 1987 and 2009 (N = 32,969) that examined the relationship between self-reported parental attachment and multiple adjustment outcomes and developmental advances during the college years. Overall, a small-to-medium relationship was found between indicators of parental…

This longitudinal study of Latino/a college students considers the influence of Latino/a college student experiences and ethnic identity on holistic development. Findings indicate that although similar characteristics are seen among Latino/a students, the role of recognizing and making meaning of racism is a significant developmental task. This is…

Examines psychosocial issues for Asian Pacific American (APA) students, one of the fastest growing but most understudied college populations. Finds that general groupings of developmental issues align somewhat with traditional psychosocial theory, although the underlying assumptions and specific developmental tasks do not fit the experience of…

Surveyed 168 college students to examine how work and participation in student organizations contribute to student's personal development. Results showed students who participated in organizations were more developed in terms of educational, career, and lifestyle plans than other students. (BH)

Hypothesized that developmental studies students, who were judged to be inferior in educational skills, would be below the level of regular students in resolving developmental tasks. Results from the Student Developmental Task Inventory-2 revealed that regularly admitted freshmen had significantly higher scores on Appropriate Educational Plans…

Examines the relationship between Chickering's vectors and the development of moral reasoning in college students. Results indicate that the developmental tasks of Academic Autonomy, Mature Interpersonal Relationships, and Purpose are closely related to the development of moral maturity, and that identity and moral development are parallel…

This article is an abstract of the doctoral dissertation selected by NASPA as the 1977 Dissertation of the Year. It concerns the identification of student activities related to developmental growth. This identification may eventually help design a campus milieu that will maximize growth. (Author)

Summarizes reliability and validity studies reported about the Student Developmental Task Inventory, second edition (SDTI-2), an objective assessment instrument based on Chickering's theory of psychosocial development described in Education and Identity. Outlines other findings related to differences in psychosocial development. (Author/ABB)

Explores the independent contribution of interpersonal relationships, parental attachment, and racial/ethnic identity to traditional-age undergraduate women's autonomy development, removing the effect of biographical correlates. Differences by race/ethnicity and by residence status in relationship to factors of autonomy are investigated.…

Presents ordering theory as a useful method in the identification and validation of logical hierarchies among tasks that measure student development. An example shows the application of ordering theory to the measurement of college students' decision making about careers. (Author/ABB)

Investigates student attitudes toward activities that would strengthen their apparent developmental "weaknesses" or areas of less extensive development. Students (N=200) completed measures of psychosocial development and intended program participation. Results show that students preferred programs and services related to developmental…

The connections between college student self-evaluation and student development are examined, and it is proposed that such self-evaluation may actively encourage specific aspects of cognitive, psychological, and social development and help the student integrate the experience. (MSE)