An Examination of Academic Nonpersistence Decisions of Latino Undergraduates

Abstract

This study assessed the extent to which university comfort, social support, and self-beliefs were interrelated and subsequently predictive of academic nonpersistence decisions for 99 Latina/o undergraduates. The majority of the sample was female, traditional college aged, second generation, and of Mexican heritage. Previously used or specifically developed standardized instruments for Latina/o college students were implemented. The three constructs were significantly interrelated and predictive of academic nonpersistence decisions. Social support was the strongest predictor of academic nonpersistence decisions, followed by university comfort. Individual variables of perceived social support from friends, perceived mentorship, and perception of the university environment had the strongest predictive value. Implications for recruitment and retention of Latina/os and programming directives for university personnel are provided.