primary developmental tasks separation or differentiation identity formation intimacy
TRANSCRIPT
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