The purpose of this study was to develop, pilot, and validate two measures theoretically relevant to the persistence of Chicano/a students in institutions of higher education. Two scales, the Cultural Congruity Scale (CCS) and the University Environment Scale (UES), were developed and tested. The scales were piloted and then administered to 454 Chicano/a undergraduates at two large southwestern universities. Strong internal consistencies were found for both scales. When used in regression equations, both scales were significant predictors of academic persistence decisions. Implications for counseling psychologists, university faculty and staff and others within the university setting are discussed.

Salient issues for Latino students on predominately White university campuses are identified and discussed. In particular, university counseling center (UCC) service providers can help diminish or diffuse educational and social difficulties of Latino students by considering psychosociocultural issues in counseling, such as university cultural environment, ethnic identity, acculturation, and social support from family and mentors. These concepts are illustrated and discussed through vignettes. Specific strategies for UCC service providers are also presented. Finally, attitudes and beliefs, knowledge, and skills necessary to provide competent psychosociocultural services to Latino students are identified.Electronic Journal: To print this article select pages 25-34. TOC

Given the unique educational experiences and disproportional representation of Latinas in higher education, this study examined how Latinas'perception of educational barriers and cultural fit influenced their coping responses and subsequent well-being in college.Participants (N = 98) were primarily second-generation Mexican-heritage women who were highly motivated to pursue advanced graduate training. Differences by generation and educational characteristics were not found. Cultural congruity and the coping response of taking a planned, positive action were the strongest predictors of psychological well-being accounting for 31% of the variance. The study's findings challenge stereotypes of Latina students in higher education, as they valued higher education, believed that they could overcome any barriers to achieve their educational goals, and used active coping responses, which informed their positive and healthy functioning.

This study investigated the influence of self-beliefs, social support, and comfort in the university environment on the academic nonpersistence decisions of 83 American Indian undergraduates. The self-belief construct comprised self-esteem and 2 dimensions of college-related self-efficacy. The social support cluster consisted of 3 variables: family support, friend support, and perception of being mentored. The 3rd cluster, comfort in the university environment, was measured by perceptions of university environment, cultural congruity, and college stress. Although each of the 3 constructs significantly accounted for academic nonpersistence decisions, social support was the strongest predictor, followed by comfort in the university environment, and then self-beliefs. Students who perceived being mentored were more likely to report decreased nonpersistence decisions. Similarly, students who had more positive perceptions of the university environment were more likely to make fewer nonpersistence decisions. Finally, higher self-esteem and greater college-related self-efficacy were associated with decreased nonpersistence decisions. Research-informed practice implications for increasing the academic persistence of American Indian students include fostering mentoring relationships and providing interventions to increase social support, self-esteem, and self-efficacy.

This scholarly article addresses the Latina/o undergraduate experiences proposing a (re)definition of educational success. Discussing strength-based practices of familia, mentorship, cultural congruity, and professional development from a psychosociocultural (PSC) approach, the article presents practical recommendations and directions for university personnel. The authors centralize culture through use of common dichos and everyday examples to illustrate effective and Latina/o student-focused practices. Resumen: Este artículo académico se ocupa de las experiencias de latinas/os de pregrado y propone una re-definición del éxito educacional. Se discuten prácticas de apoyo familiares, tutoría, congruencia cultural, y desarrollo profesional desde una perspectiva cultural y psicosocial (PSC). Se presentan además recomendaciones prácticas y direcciones para el personal universitario. Los autores materializan la cultura a través del uso de dichos comunes y ejemplos diarios para ilustrar prácticas efectivas enfocadas en estudiantes latinas/os.