Development of a sense of belonging for privileged and minoritized students: An emergent model

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

11-1-2016

Abstract

This article reports findings from a constructionist grounded theory study with 51 first-year college students. We explored student definitions and development of a sense of belonging during their first year of college. Belonging for all participants was shaped by 3 themes: environmental perceptions, involvement, and relationships. Yet, there were vast differences in the ways students from privileged and minoritized social identity groups defined belonging and made meaning of the 3 emergent themes. A model of belonging for privileged and minoritized college students is presented.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of College Student Development

Volume

57

Issue

8

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