Literature Review 1

Citation: 

Sy, S. R., Fong, K., Carter, R., Boehme, J., & Alpert, A. (2011). Parent support and stress among

first-generation and continuing-generation female students during the transition to

College. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 13 (3), 383-398. doi:10.2190/CS.13.3.g

Summary: 

In this journal, the researchers compare first-generation and continuing-generation female students based on three different factors. The factor I was most interested in was the student's levels of stress and the relationship between parent support and the student's stress during their transition to college. They discuss how research has shown that being a first-generation student can put a significant psychological strain on a student. Additionally, it has been shown that since parents of first-generation students have not attended college, they do not understand the academic and time demands that lead to the stress their child is experiencing. Since this was a research study, the researchers found that there are very little information and support for first-generation students. Because of this, their mental health and stress levels are negatively impacted. 

Authors: 

For this journal, there are four people who contributed to it. These authors are Susan R. Sy, Kristen Fong, Rebecca Carter, Julia Boehme, and Amy Alpert. They are all knowledgeable on this topic because they work in the field of psychology and counseling at different universities.  

Key Terms: 

Parent support- parents giving support for their children which plays an important role by serving as a buffer to the negative effects of stress. This is usually only given my parents of  continuing -generation students

First-generation students: mostly ethnic minorities, from low socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Social support: relationships that help navigate environments that someone may be unfamiliar with. Under this category would fall parental social support which can help reduce negative mental health and negative academic problems 

Three quotes: 

“In particular, many first-generation students may experience psychological strain as they navigate an environment that is new to both themselves and their parents. Thus, while first-generation students gain the experience and opportunities that college affords, they often also experience the negative psychological effects of a cultural mismatch” (385).

“Parents of first-generation students, having not been through the college experience themselves, may not understand both the academic and time demands that contribute to the stress experienced by their children during this transition” (386).

Female students who are among the first generation in their family to attend college may be at even greater risk, as research has demonstrated that women experience greater overall stress during college than do men (Gandara & Osugi, 1994; see also, Larson, 2006). Female students, as compared to male students, tend to report higher levels of both academic and life stress (Abouserie, 1994)” (387).

Value:

This journal has helped me explore my research topic of college mental health and mental health in first-generation college students. The researchers conducted a study that proved that first-generation students experience more mental health problems and higher stress levels. They found that this is largely due to the lack of parental support these students are receiving. Also, it was found that female first-generation students experience these effects more opposed to their male counterparts.