THE RELATIONSHIP OF PERCEPTIONS OF CAMPUS CLIMATE AND SOCIAL SUPPORT TO ADJUSTMENT TO COLLEGE FOR LATINA SORORITY AND NON-SORORITY MEMBERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore whether there were differences in adjustment to college for Latina college students who are members of a Latina sorority and those who are non-members. A second purpose was to examine whether perceptions of campus climate and social support predicted academic, social, personal emotional, goal commitment-institutional, and overall adjustment to college. Using a web-based survey, the University Environment Scale (Gloria & Kurpius, 1996), social support scales (Schneider & Ward, 2003), and Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (Baker & Siryk, 1984) were used to collect data. Respondents included 314 Latina college students (183 members, 131 non-members) from a variety of institutions nationwide. Latina sorority members had significantly higher levels of social adjustment and goal commitment-institutional adjustment than non-members. Additionally, perceptions of campus climate and social support were significant predictors of adjustment for both groups, with 21%-64% variance explained for each form of adjustment.