The Impact of Family Structure, Relationships, and Support on African American Students’ Collegiate Experiences

Abstract

This qualitative study examined the ways in which African American college students perceive family structure, relationships, and support as impacting their academic persistence and collegiate experiences. Participants included nine females and five males attending a Historically Black University. Participants described family structure and relationships in a variety of ways. Furthermore, some participants experienced a change in relationships with immediate family members while attending college. Family issues occurring at home, being a financial burden on family members, the importance of family support, and being a role model for other family members were also cited as influencing collegiate experiences. The study concluded that family structures, relationships, and support do indeed influence the collegiate experiences and academic outcomes of African American college students.