Degree Date

2010

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between relational family values patterns and identity status in first-generation college students (FGCS) and non-first-generation college students (non-FGCS). Questions asked include whether a shared pattern of values existed among our sample, whether there was a relationship between values and reported family discourse, as well as between values and generational status, and whether the general pattern of identity status in our sample differed depending on values patterns, generational status, and ethnicity. Participants included 226 community college students from two urban institutions. They completed an online version of the Relational Family Values Q-Sort (RFVQ-online), the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ), and the Background Questionnaire-revised (BQ-R), which included the Family Discourse Scale (FDS). Results indicated three separate yet correlated values patterns, one that presented an individualist value structure and two that presented more familistic structures. Results included the discovery of significant relationships between family values patterns and the following variables: ethnicity, family discourse, generational status, and identity status, with ethnicity contributing the most to variation in values patterns. Additionally, identity status was related to ethnicity but no relationship was found between identity status and generational status.

Comments

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