Stressors among first-generation college students:A retrospective inquiry

Abstract

A multiple case study qualitative approach was used to examine the stressors among first-generation college students.The students were in their senior year at a medium-sized Midwestern public university.The researcher conducted two focus groups and a total of 10 in-depth interviews with first-generation college students.Several themes emerged from the data that was collected.The overarching themes that served as the primary framework for this study were stressors related to family,friends and the university.One of the major themes,how the participants coped with their particular stressors,is discussed in detail.The differences that were found between this group of first-generation college students and those researched in psst studies are noted.