Examining the Persistence Intentions of College Students of Color

Abstract

This study used the Social Cognitive Career Theory—Career Self-Management Model (SCCT-CSM) to understand the process by which background variables impact students of color’s intentions to persist in college. Findings from 329 students of color revealed that perceived social status related positively to self-efficacy for self-regulated learning, that increased experiences of racism related negatively to self-efficacy for self-regulated learning, and that self-efficacy for self-regulated learning related positively to intentions to persist in college. Further, self-efficacy for self-regulated learning mediated the relationship between perceived social status and persistence intentions among this sample of college students of color. Lastly, SEM analyses provided support for several pathways of the SCCT-CSM model with students of color. Limitations of the current study are discussed. Implications and future directions for practice and research are presented.