The Role of Self Views in College Adjustment

Abstract

The transition to college presents a host of stressors for students to navigate in the novel environment. Previous research has shown that the transition to college and adaptation to new demands can be highly distressing for students. College adjustment has been shown to predict retention rates and uptake of risk behaviors such as alcohol use. It is likely that some students may be at greater risk for maladjustment based on their ability to adapt to the college environment. Thus, the current study examined how individual differences in self-views relate to college adjustment. Ninety-one participants (75 females and 16 males) completed measures of self-concept clarity, self-esteem, selfacceptance, and college adjustment. College adjustment was significantly correlated with self-concept clarity (r = .29, p = .01), self-esteem (r = .39, p = .00) and self-acceptance (r = .36, p = .00). These results have important implications for university programs that focus on facilitating the transition to college, espousing the need for interventions that address promotion of acceptance of self and life events.