Factors that affect perceived social support in gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) college students, including expectations concerning disclosure of sexual minority orientation, perceived family support, and perceived supportiveness of school environment are discussed. GLB identity formation and stigmatization are reviewed. Perceived social support, counselor support/working alliance, and sexual orientation were assessed with the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ), the Working Alliance Inventory — Short Form (WAI-S) and a modified Kinsey Scale respectively. The implications that variation in each of these factors may have in relation to perceived social support and mental health counseling of GLB college students were considered after data were collected and analyzed. Findings indicate that little difference in perceived social support exist between GLB and heterosexual college students, in perceived social support in counseling relationships, or between genders in the GLB student population. Findings indicate that a significant difference in perceived social support exists between those GLB students who have disclosed their sexual orientation status one year or longer ago and those GLB students who had not disclosed their sexual orientation at all or less than one year ago. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The purpose of this study was to assess whether spiritual well-being and social support functioned as protective variables (moderators) for body dissatisfaction among college women. A hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine whether spiritual well-being and social support predicted body dissatisfaction, as well as if there was an interaction between the two variables. Approximately 100 female participants between the ages of 18 and 31 were recruited from the psychology department to participate in this study. Expanding the knowledge base on spiritual well-being, social support, and body dissatisfaction can facilitate awareness of preventative measures that may be beneficial to young women experiencing body dissatisfaction. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Recent advances in courtship theory emphasize day-today interaction and the environment in which interaction takes place as critically important in the understanding of relationship development. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of college course assignments on time spent in relationship activities and, similarly, the influence of time spent in relationship activities on relationship satisfaction. As college couples are often the subjects of relationship studies, consideration of the college environment seemed both appropriate and overdue. The sample consisted of 35 serious dating couples in which both partners were full-time students. A telephone survey methodology was developed so that couples could report coded relationship behaviors both conveniently and confidentially. Data were collected twice a week for 8 1/2 weeks during winter term 1987 at a large northwestern university. Results indicated: (1) previous, current, and up-coming course assignments were influential regarding reported time in selected relationship activities, and, in general, tended to increase time in activities; (2) when assignments decreased relationship activity, men's assignments were more influential. Women's assignments, particularly previous assignments, were found likely to increase relationship activity. Regarding the influence time spent in activities had on relationships satisfaction, the data indicated that time spent eating together and in affectionate behavior were activities that increased relationship satisfaction. Discussion centered on the "interpersonal process" framework of relationships development and on the timing of course workload on relationships. Conclusions suggested the academic environment does have an effect on dating relationships and that this effect may be similar to work and family issues that society as a whole is facing. / Graduation date: 1990

The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of social interaction and social distance or comfort among five undergraduate ethnic groups (African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, Caucasian Americans, and Hispanic Americans) at Oregon State University. Another purpose was to explore the correlation between the level of social contact and comfort or social distance among the five ethnic groups. The sample included 284 full time continuing undergraduate students at Oregon State University. The contact scale included items measuring the number of acquaintances, frequency of interaction, positive degree of feeling, number of friends, and duration of contact. The comfort scale was a modified version of Byrnes and Kiger's (1988) Social Scale. It asked respondents to rate from one (very uncomfortable) to seven (very comfortable) their comfort with people of different ethnicities in six roles as: president of the United States, a counselor, a professor, a small group member in a classroom or group activity, a roommate, or a date. Two-way analyses of variance provided comparative information about ethnicity and gender. Newman-Keuls tests of significance were also employed. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to investigate the relationship between contact and comfort. Results of the study showed that students were generally comfortable with all groups, but least comfortable with Asian Americans. As a group, Asian Americans were less comfortable with other groups than were other ethnic groups. Minority groups were most comfortable with their own group. All minority groups except African Americans were significantly more comfortable with Caucasian Americans than with other minority groups. Correlations between contact and comfort for each group were positive and significant in all but 18 of 60 correlations performed. They were not significant for American Indians as either respondent or target group. In addition, results showed that there are not as many American Indian students at OSU as was originally thought. Further, students indicated little interaction with American Indians. / Graduation date: 1992

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College students find belonging at institutions in multiple ways. For college women, the relationships they form through their involvements are important in their social integration. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the social integration experiences of sorority women who live in residence halls. This study was grounded in qualitative, phenomenological methodology. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with sorority women living in the residence halls who were at least sophomores. The researcher found sorority women had positive experiences of community and enriched relationship opportunities through their involvement in their sororities and residence halls. The women studied referenced the few relationships they made with the other people who lived near them in the residence hall. While these relationships were important to them, they were not as important as the relationships formed with their sisters in their sorority. Sisterhood provides a deeper, more meaningful connection shared through the bond of ritual and tradition. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research were also suggested. / Department of Educational Studies

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between student-environment fit and physical self-efficacy among female undergraduate students living in the Trane and Tichenor wellness residence halls at Ball State University. This study examined the following questions: 1) What is the degree of fit experienced by female students living in the Trane and Tichenor wellness residence halls?, and 2) Is there a relationship between student-environment fit and physical self-efficacy? Student-environment fit is necessary for a student's happiness, satisfaction, and achievement. Physical self-efficacy is an important component of positive self-concept and has been correlated with the healthy development of an individual. Data on student-environment fit was collected using the University Residence Environment Scale. The Physical Self-Efficacy Scale was used to collect data on the students' perceptions of their physical ability and self-presentation confidence. Statistical analysis of the data revealed: 1) significant t-scores for the degree of fit experienced by female students in Trane and Tichenor wellness residence halls, and 2) a significant correlation between the total student-environment fit score and the total physical self-efficacy score as well as a significant correlation for the URES subscales of Academic Achievement and Intellectuality with the total physical self-efficacy score. / Department of Home Economics

The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to investigate the in-class and out-of-class experiences of undergraduate African American traditional-aged college students who were on a "success" path at a predominantly White campus in the Midwestern USA. It provided the opportunity for the voices of the participants to be heard. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to identify thirteen research participants. A semi-structured interview format enabling conversational interview was used.Findings suggested that the students' experiences were multifaceted and multilayered. They had to contend with racial microaggressions and verbal abuse. This called on their resilience occasioning the expending of psychic energy and extending of the self to cope. The experience of racism clearly suggested that the educational environment was not totally welcoming and supportive of African Americans as, These experiences consisted of discrimination, stereotyping, verbal assaults, and treatment that suggested that the African Americans had major deficits as persons. In the second place, the students described experiences in which they defied the odds. Hence surviving and thriving became an apt metaphor that captured the contours of the experience. Respondents described the importance of investing in the Black community, utilizing the networking opportunities, fellowshipping with friends, family and faculty, and developing disciplined approaches to life as important in the quest to survive and to thrive. In the third place, they also described college as a place where their lives were sculpted, and where they were sculpted for life. This theme was expanded through descriptions depicting college as a place that allowed for the defining, refining, and redefining of the self. They also encountered and came to value diversity, benefited from immersive learning and were challenged to balance and to learn to manage their lives as efficient stewards.The finding that elevated the use of Black community organizations and networking opportunities as counter and recuperative spaces and particularly the importance of body pedagogy in those spaces has value for ongoing research. Further, in negotiating college students had to balance their lives, employing folk wisdom or practical intelligences developed from their socialization in their families and the Black community. / Department of Educational Studies