What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine adjustment, well-being, and the multi-layered individual and systemic factors that impact risk and resilience among first-generation college students.

August 19, 2026Education SciencesOpen Access

Individual and System Factors Involved in First-Generation College Students’ Risk and Resilience: Qualitative Student Perspectives and Recommendations

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Authors

ASAshley M. Shaw EFEva L. Fortier BCBrooke N. Contarino

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Overview

Qualitative interview study reveals multi-level support systems promote resilience among first-generation college students, highlighting the need for targeted institutional interventions.

Key Points

To examine adjustment, well-being, and the multi-layered individual and systemic factors that impact risk and resilience among first-generation college students.
Conducted 30-minute semi-structured qualitative interviews with first-generation college students (N = 24; 79% female, mean age = 19 years, 92% White).
Coded participant responses according to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory across family, peer, high school, and university levels.
Active help-seeking across family, peer networks, and campus resources served as a central mechanism promoting student resilience.
Individual vulnerabilities, including lower socioeconomic status and lack of guidance, interacted with institutional high school and college barriers to exacerbate academic and personal risk.
Adjustment difficulties and mental health challenges improved qualitatively over time as students adapted to the university environment.

Cite This Study

Shaw et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a858aaf03308d306e2d7ec4 https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16081309

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August 19, 2026Education SciencesOpen Access

Individual and System Factors Involved in First-Generation College Students’ Risk and Resilience: Qualitative Student Perspectives and Recommendations

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

ASAshley M. Shaw EFEva L. Fortier BCBrooke N. Contarino

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Qualitative interview study reveals multi-level support systems promote resilience among first-generation college students, highlighting the need for targeted institutional interventions.

Key Points

To examine adjustment, well-being, and the multi-layered individual and systemic factors that impact risk and resilience among first-generation college students.
Conducted 30-minute semi-structured qualitative interviews with first-generation college students (N = 24; 79% female, mean age = 19 years, 92% White).
Coded participant responses according to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory across family, peer, high school, and university levels.
Active help-seeking across family, peer networks, and campus resources served as a central mechanism promoting student resilience.
Individual vulnerabilities, including lower socioeconomic status and lack of guidance, interacted with institutional high school and college barriers to exacerbate academic and personal risk.
Adjustment difficulties and mental health challenges improved qualitatively over time as students adapted to the university environment.

Cite This Study

Shaw et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a858aaf03308d306e2d7ec4 https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16081309

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