Does First Generation College Status and Type of Food (Healthy or Unhealthy) Influence the Perceptions of College Students
Location
FA-202
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Researchers have long studied different components of college students’ behaviors but little attention has been paid to the growing underserved population of first-generation college students (FGCS). The current study addresses the general public perspective on the health of FGCS. Prior research suggests that student populations in public university campuses face financial hardships and food insecurities. Yet no study to date has focused specifically on the health perceptions of FGCS. To address this problem, the researchers will conduct a 2 (education status: first-generation college student or non first-generation college student) X 2 (food choice: healthy or unhealthy) within-participants design. Approximately 80 participants from Northeastern Illinois University will take part in this study. Participants will read vignettes then respond to statements about the target individual on a Likert-type scale. The researchers hypothesize that participants reading the healthy food choice condition will rate the target more positively. The researchers also hypothesize that FGCS will be perceived less favorably than non first-generation college students (NFGCS). Lastly, the researchers hypothesize that the interaction between FGCS and unhealthy food choices will be perceived the least favorably. The researchers will test these hypotheses by conducting a repeated-measures ANOVA to assess the data and to compare food choices and education status with participant’s perceptions of the target individual. The current research is important to bring awareness to the adversity FGCS face such as socioeconomic status and food insecurity. Filling the gaps between health and FGCS will aid the general perception and find adequate resources to assist these students in higher education. In doing so, this study can highlight food and health disparities, through a means of general perceptions of first generation college students.
Faculty Sponsor
Amanda Dykema-Engblade, Northeastern Illinois University
Does First Generation College Status and Type of Food (Healthy or Unhealthy) Influence the Perceptions of College Students
FA-202
Researchers have long studied different components of college students’ behaviors but little attention has been paid to the growing underserved population of first-generation college students (FGCS). The current study addresses the general public perspective on the health of FGCS. Prior research suggests that student populations in public university campuses face financial hardships and food insecurities. Yet no study to date has focused specifically on the health perceptions of FGCS. To address this problem, the researchers will conduct a 2 (education status: first-generation college student or non first-generation college student) X 2 (food choice: healthy or unhealthy) within-participants design. Approximately 80 participants from Northeastern Illinois University will take part in this study. Participants will read vignettes then respond to statements about the target individual on a Likert-type scale. The researchers hypothesize that participants reading the healthy food choice condition will rate the target more positively. The researchers also hypothesize that FGCS will be perceived less favorably than non first-generation college students (NFGCS). Lastly, the researchers hypothesize that the interaction between FGCS and unhealthy food choices will be perceived the least favorably. The researchers will test these hypotheses by conducting a repeated-measures ANOVA to assess the data and to compare food choices and education status with participant’s perceptions of the target individual. The current research is important to bring awareness to the adversity FGCS face such as socioeconomic status and food insecurity. Filling the gaps between health and FGCS will aid the general perception and find adequate resources to assist these students in higher education. In doing so, this study can highlight food and health disparities, through a means of general perceptions of first generation college students.