Academic culture shock: Promoting first generation student success through psychological wellbeingRosa Moreno-Alcaraz, Ph.D.

Primary Developmental Tasks

•Separation or differentiation •Identity Formation•Intimacy

Differentiation from parents, home and high school friends

Gradual ProcessSupport continues to be necessary

Separation

Who am I?Career confusion, political and religious

valuesChoices help them take responsibility and

develop self-confidenceIdentity development

Identity formation

Increased need for intimacy in friendships & Romantic Relationships

May experience 1st significant Break-up

Intimacy

differentiation from parents, career confusion, romantic relationships, being evaluated, transitions, adjustments

Predictable developmental crises

1st generation lensTasks

SeparationIdentity formationAchieving intimacy

Aspects of selfIndependenceClassCultureGenderSexual orientation Alienation

Imposter phenomenonSelf esteemSubstance abuseDepression & AnxietySuicidal ideationSexual assault/child abuse

Mental Health & Wellbeing

When you have a connection with a studentThey have confided in you/vulnerableNormalize talking to someone and obtaining

clarity and guidancePlant the seed Motivation has to come from them

Referral to CAPS

2 worlds collide1st gen students have one foot in the academy

and one foot at home

Academic culture shock

1st Generation StudentRelationships with

othersFinancial survivalSurvival of the groupTime is flexible and

secondary to “felt need” or relationship responsibility

OrderStructureFocus on timeHierarchyIndependence/

autonomy

Two worlds collide

The Academy

Build relationshipHelp with interpersonal and professional

skillsValidate and normalize their experienceRecognize them as the strivers that they

areSpeak to the part of them that wants to be

hereKnow that they want your approvalHelp them move from Academic Culture

shock to Academic Ownership

What can be done

The only factor becoming scarce in a world of abundance is human attention-Kevin Kelly