The problem with which this study is concerned is to determine whether or not differences exist in the achievement of student development tasks by college student athletes and non-athletes. The investigation also tested for differences in the achievement of developmental tasks between athletes and non-athletes based on the variables of race (black or white), classification, and interpersonal behavior orientation. The sample was composed of 276 male students (201 non-athletes and 75 athletes) who attend a large private university in Texas. Each participant completed both a student developmental task inventory questionnaire, which measures individual achievement of the tasks of developing autonomy, purpose, and mature interpersonal relationships, and an interpersonal relationship orientation-behavior instrument, which measures an individual's orientation to others on the scales of inclusion, control, and affection.

Despite a substantially greater risk factor profile, Hispanics in the United States (US) consistently demonstrate better health outcomes compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts, an epidemiologic phenomenon termed the Hispanic Mortality Paradox. Emerging hypotheses suggest cultural values regarding relational interconnectedness and social support may help to explain these surprising health outcomes. The present study sought to inform these hypotheses via two aims: the first was to examine racial/ethnic differences in perceived social support, and the second was to examine the relationship between acculturation and perceived social support among Hispanic college students. Non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic college students (N = 330) completed an online survey for course credit. Contrary to expectations, no racial/ethnic differences in perceived social support were observed, nor was an association between acculturation and perceived social support evident among the sampled Hispanic students. The limited sample size, homogeneity in social support levels across groups, and the restricted range of age and acculturation may have obscured relationships that may exist outside the college environment. Future work should consider a more heterogeneous sampling strategy to better assess these associations.

The student ambassador program is designed as a solution for meeting the needs and demands of a changing population of incoming and current students.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the academic performance of the first-time, full-time, traditional-aged students in the Student Support Services program at East Tennessee State University. This was accomplished by comparing their academic performance with the academic performance of first-time, full-time, traditional-aged non-SSS participants, including students in both the SSS eligible and SSS ineligible study groups. Incoming freshman cohorts from 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 were used to create the 3 distinct study groups. Demographic and performance outcome variables were used for comparison among the 3 groups. The cumulative college GPA, fall-to-fall retention, and 6-year graduation status of the 3 study groups were of primary interest in this study. Prediction models for these 3 variables were a secondary consideration. Thirteen research questions guided this study and were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, two-way contingency tables, multivariate linear regressions, and binary logistic regressions. Results indicated that there were significant differences in demographic and performance outcomes among the 3 study groups. SSS participants were found to have a significantly lower cumulative GPA at graduation than their peers, but exceeded them in fall-to-fall retention status and 6-year graduation status. The prediction models showed that the first-year cumulative college GPA was a powerful predictor of fall-to-fall retention status and 6-year graduation status for first-time, full-time traditional-aged freshman students.

Master of Science / Counseling and Student Development / Christy D. Craft / Since residence hall roommates can have a significant effect on the stress level of an individual, it was predicted that living with a roommate experiencing emotional distress could cause added stress due to the support needs of that roommate. For this study, emotional distress is defined as experiencing any of the following symptoms of common mental illness: excessive use of alcohol/drugs; working hard but getting poor grades; test anxiety; excessive tearfulness or crying; feeling misunderstood or mistreated; lost hope that life will improve; unresolved conflicts with others; feeling agitated or restless; having trouble memorizing; difficulty concentrating, focusing, or paying attention; bored or unhappy with life; loss of energy/fatigued; feeling shy or timid; excessive worry; change in nutrition or exercise habits; low self-esteem; difficulty trusting other people; lost interest in activities; changes in sleep patterns; no close personal friends (lonely); poor time management; mood swings; difficulty controlling angry thoughts or actions; anxiety attacks; depressed mood; and/or addiction concerns (Robertson, 2006). A qualitative research study was done where five individuals were interviewed about their experience living with someone who was experiencing emotional distress. The participants’ answers were evaluated and synthesized with prior research material. Further research could be done on this subject by utilizing quantitative research methods at multiple institutions and comparing the results with the institutions’ policies and procedures for staff members. This research could result in a new manner in which to respond to students who are experiencing emotional distress and to their roommates in the residence halls.

This study examines the effect of a short term (30 min) self-efficacy intervention on job search behavior and job search related state-anxiety then proposes a sequential mediation model. Using a sample (N = 272) college students recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (N = 160) and a small liberal arts college in California (N = 112), participants completed a job search skills quiz and were randomly assigned to a positive feedback condition. They then immediately filled out self-report measures for self-efficacy (Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy), state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y), and job search behavior (Proactive Career Behavior Measure). The results suggest that a positive effect of the intervention on job search behaviors is mediated by a reduction in anxiety and increase in career decision making self-efficacy. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for college career counselors will be discussed.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 1999. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Few lecturers – my mentor is an excellent example of those few – treasure the joy and satisfaction of their students. In order to maximize the joy associated with elective subjects (this should be one of the highlights of the MBA course), a procedure was developed that will schedule electives in such a way that the maximum number of students will be satisfied completely. This procedure harnesses the power of the modern computer and solves the problem with brute force. The computing part of the process takes less than 10 minutes. A very high level of student satisfaction (the highest level possible) is guaranteed with the correct use of this procedure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Weinig dosente – my mentor is ‘n uitstekende voorbeeld van daardie enkeles – stel die vreugde en bevrediging van hul studente eerste. Ten einde die vreugde uit keusevakke te maksimeer (dit behoort een van die hoogtepunte van die MBA kursus te wees), is ‘n prosedure ontwikkel wat keusevakke so skeduleer dat die maksimum aantal studente daardeur bevredig word. Hierdie prosedure span die krag van die moderne rekenaar in deur die probleem met brute krag op te los (akademiese kragtoerjie??). Die verwerking van die probleem deur die rekenaar duur minder as 10 minute. ‘n Hoë vlak van studentebevrediging (die hoogste vlak haalbaar) word gewaarborg deur die korrekte gebruik van hierdie prosedure.

Although the amount of interest and research on college student suicide has increased in recent years, there remains a paucity of knowledge focused on issues of suicide for college students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. This study aimed to expand the limited knowledge of Asian American college student suicide using archival data from a larger national study titled The Nature of Suicidal Crisis in College Students. The survey was administered collaboratively online by the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education and included 70 U.S. colleges and universities. Guided by the interpersonal-psychological theory of attempted and completed suicide and a cultural frame salient to Asian Americans, this study employed qualitative research methods to capture the lived experience of fifty-eight Asian American suicidal college students. More specifically, the present investigation explored the factors that positively and negatively influenced Asian American college students with serious suicide ideation from progressing to behaviors with higher risk of lethality, such as suicide attempts and completions. Findings from a culturally grounded phenomenological analysis of participants’ narrative responses revealed protective factors including:(a) a desire not to hurt or burden others, (b) social support, (c) fear, (d) self reliance and assistance, and (e) insight and meaning. Factors that participants found least helpful in resolving their suicidal crisis were (a) academics (b) lack of social support and (c) experiences with mental health providers. The results of this study provides information that should be of interest to mental health practitioners working with Asian American college students as well as have the potential to contribute towards the formulation of a theory for this specific ethnic minority group. Additionally, it is the intention that these findings will enable design of both culturally appropriate prevention and intervention programs. / text