Resilience Through Family: Family Support as an Academic and Psychological Protective Resource for Mexican Descent First-Generation College Students

Abstract

The present study examines the potential protective effect of familial support among first-gen Mexican descent college students regarding GPA, college persistence, and depressive symptoms. Participants included 487 Mexican descent college students from across the United States (66.7% first-gen). Results indicated that being a first-gen student was not related to the outcomes; however, family support was related to better academic and psychological outcomes (lower depressive symptoms and higher college persistence) regardless of generation status.

Mexican origin First-generation College Students Activating Funds of Knowledge to Navigate Basic Needs Insecurity

“…These FK also echo and add to extant research on the supports and strategies this student population relies on to navigate socioeconomic hardship. For example, prior work highlights family and friends as key supporters in this population's college experience (Campa, 2013;Jimenez et al, 2021;Peña, 2013;Sheffield, 2011). BNI research that examines these challenges among Latino students also found that family and social networks are key sources of support for students to address BNI (Goldrick-Rab et al, 2018;Goldrick-Rab et al, 2019).…”

“…Mexican origin first-generation college students encounter and navigate unique challenges while pursuing post-secondary education. An emerging body of research explores their experiences in relation to college access (Nuñez & Crisp, 2012;Zerquera, et al, 2018), academic achievement (Covarrubias et al, 2019;Jimenez et al, 2021;Mendiola et al, 2010;Peña, 2013;Rodriguez et al, 2021), and educational ideologies (Kiyama, 2010;Espino, 2016). However, scholarship does not currently examine funds of knowledge as strategies and assets that Mexican origin first-generation college students employ to navigate basic needs insecurity (BNI).…”

“…Extant research on Mexican origin first-generation college students addresses their postsecondary experiences in relation to demographic and cultural factors (e.g., Aguayo et al, 2011;Alfaro et al, 2018;Alfaro, 2020;Covarrubias et al, 2019;Espino, 2016;Jimenez et al, 2021;Kiyama, 2010;Nuñez & Crisp, 2012;Rodriguez et al, 2021;Zerquera et al, 2018). For example, Alfaro (2020) examined communication patterns and messages between Mexican origin college students and their parents to support student success.…”

“…Additionally, research has explored the role of the family in mediating Mexican origin first-generation college students' coping strategies to the stressors they find in college (Rodriguez et al, 2021). This research determined that students demonstrated close relationships with family to support them in coping with college stressors (Jimenez et al, 2021;Rodriguez et al, 2021), specifically psychological and academic stress. In sum, these studies promote notions that family support plays a crucial role in empowering Mexican origin first-generation students to navigate hardship in college.…”

COVID-19 Pandemic Psychological Distress, Multi-Dimensional Social Support, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Hispanic Undergraduates

“…Indeed, research among Hispanic within HSIs echoes these observations where one study conducted within an HSI found familial encouragement promotes academic achievement among Hispanic undergraduates ( Arana et al, 2011 ). Additional HSI research has shown family social support among Hispanic undergraduates was associated with better psychological health and academic outcomes ( Jimenez et al, 2022 ). Another study found social support from family and friends buffers stress on mental health among Hispanic attending a large public HSI ( Suwinyattichaiporn & Johnson, 2022 ).…”