IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/reihed/v62y2021i8d10.1007_s11162-021-09638-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Who Are You Studying With? The Role of Diverse Friendships in STEM and Corresponding Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Julie J. Park

    (University of Maryland, College Park)

  • Young K. Kim

    (Azusa Pacific University)

  • Kristyn Lue

    (University of Maryland, College Park)

  • Jia Zheng

    (University of Maryland, College Park)

  • Roshan Parikh

    (University of Maryland, College Park)

  • Cinthya Salazar

    (University of Maryland, College Park)

  • Arman Liwanag

    (University of Maryland, College Park)

Abstract

While numerous studies have highlighted the consequences of exclusion in STEM, fewer studies have empirically tested the benefits of inclusion in peer relationships. We focus on the impact of having cross-racial or cross-gender study partners among one’s close friends in a national sample of 408 STEM majors. Using structural equation modeling, we examined the direct and indirect relationships between having diverse study partners, key background and college experience variables, and college GPA. We identified a significant positive relationship, both direct and indirect, between studying with a close friend of a different race and GPA. We also found that having a cross-gender study partner is positively linked to organizing study groups and study-faculty interaction, which in turn improves GPA. However, Black students were less likely to have either cross-racial or cross-gender study partners among their close friends. We discuss implications for equity and the need to encourage positive intergroup relations in STEM.

Suggested Citation

  • Julie J. Park & Young K. Kim & Kristyn Lue & Jia Zheng & Roshan Parikh & Cinthya Salazar & Arman Liwanag, 2021. "Who Are You Studying With? The Role of Diverse Friendships in STEM and Corresponding Inequality," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 62(8), pages 1146-1167, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:62:y:2021:i:8:d:10.1007_s11162-021-09638-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-021-09638-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11162-021-09638-8
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11162-021-09638-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nida Denson & Mitchell J. Chang, 2015. "Dynamic Relationships: Identifying Moderators That Maximize Benefits Associated with Diversity," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 86(1), pages 1-37, January.
    2. Patrick T. Terenzini & Alberto F. Cabrera & Carol L. Colbeck & Stefani A. Bjorklund & John M. Parente, 2001. "Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Classroom," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 72(5), pages 509-531, September.
    3. Matthew Soldner & Heather Rowan-Kenyon & Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas & Jason Garvey & Claire Robbins, 2012. "Supporting Students' Intentions to Persist in STEM Disciplines: The Role of Living-Learning Programs among other Social-Cognitive Factors," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 83(3), pages 311-336, May.
    4. Nicholas A. Bowman & Julie J. Park, 2014. "Interracial Contact on College Campuses: Comparing and Contrasting Predictors of Cross-Racial Interaction and Interracial Friendship," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 85(5), pages 660-690, September.
    5. Paul D. Umbach & George D. Kuh, 2006. "Student Experiences with Diversity at Liberal Arts Colleges: Another Claim for Distinctiveness," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 77(1), pages 169-192, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Musbah Shaheen & Laura S. Dahl & Matthew J. Mayhew & Alyssa N. Rockenbach, 2023. "Inspiring Muslim Appreciation in the First-Year of College: What Makes a Difference?," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 64(2), pages 177-203, March.
    2. Ruth Sessler Bernstein & Morgan Bulger & Paul Salipante & Judith Y. Weisinger, 2020. "From Diversity to Inclusion to Equity: A Theory of Generative Interactions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(3), pages 395-410, December.
    3. Elena Sandoval-Lucero, 2014. "Serving the Developmental and Learning Needs of the 21st Century Diverse College Student Population: A Review of Literature," Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 4(2), pages 1-47, November.
    4. Marylie W. Gerson & Leanne Neilson, 2014. "The Importance of Identity Development, Principled Moral Reasoning, and Empathy as Predictors of Openness to Diversity in Emerging Adults," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(4), pages 21582440145, October.
    5. David K. Diehl, 2020. "The Relationship Between Personality Traits and Interracial Contact on Campus," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, November.
    6. Karen C. H. Zhoc & Beverley J. Webster & Ronnel B. King & Johnson C. H. Li & Tony S. H. Chung, 2019. "Higher Education Student Engagement Scale (HESES): Development and Psychometric Evidence," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 60(2), pages 219-244, March.
    7. Julie J. Park & Young K. Kim & Cinthya Salazar & Shannon Hayes, 2020. "Student–Faculty Interaction and Discrimination from Faculty in STEM: The Link with Retention," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 61(3), pages 330-356, May.
    8. Yanqing Ding & Wei Li & Xin Li & Yinduo Wu & Jin Yang & Xiaoyang Ye, 2021. "Heterogeneous Major Preferences for Extrinsic Incentives: The Effects of Wage Information on the Gender Gap in STEM Major Choice," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 62(8), pages 1113-1145, December.
    9. Oleg Poldin & Diliara Valeeva & Maria Yudkevich, 2016. "Which Peers Matter: How Social Ties Affect Peer-group Effects," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 57(4), pages 448-468, June.
    10. Heather Antecol, 2015. "Career and Family Choices Among Elite Liberal Arts Graduates," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(4), pages 1089-1120, August.
    11. Josipa Roksa & Teniell L. Trolian & Ernest T. Pascarella & Cindy A. Kilgo & Charles Blaich & Kathleen S. Wise, 2017. "Racial Inequality in Critical Thinking Skills: The Role of Academic and Diversity Experiences," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 58(2), pages 119-140, March.
    12. Gabor Bekes & Gianmarco I. P. Ottaviano, 2022. "Cultural homophily and collaboration in superstar teams," CEP Discussion Papers dp1873, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    13. Mesfin Manaze & Befekadu Zeleke, 2021. "Managing Students’ Diversity in Ethiopian Public Universities: Practices and Challenges," Journal of Education and Training Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 9(4), pages 29-48, April.
    14. Ingrid K. Weigold & Arne Weigold & Shu Ling & Migyeong Jang, 2021. "College as a Growth Opportunity: Assessing Personal Growth Initiative and Self-determination Theory," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 2143-2163, June.
    15. Craig M. Elliott II & Olivia Stransky & Ricardo Negron & Melinda Bowlby & Jessica Lickiss & Diksha Dutt & Nandini Dasgupta & Peter Barbosa, 2013. "Institutional Barriers to Diversity Change Work in Higher Education," SAGE Open, , vol. 3(2), pages 21582440134, May.
    16. Alyssa N. Rockenbach & Tiffani A. Riggers-Piehl & Jason C. Garvey & Marc A. Lo & Matthew J. Mayhew, 2016. "The Influence of Campus Climate and Interfaith Engagement on Self-Authored Worldview Commitment and Pluralism Orientation Across Sexual and Gender Identities," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 57(4), pages 497-517, June.
    17. W. Quin Yow & Tony Zhao Ming Lim, 2019. "Sharing the same languages helps us work better together," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    18. Lau, Yan, 2022. "Does racial diversity improve academic outcomes? A natural experiment in higher education classrooms," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    19. Barkley, Andrew P. & Wiley, Zelia Z. & Hobbs, Lonnie Jr. & Smades, Summer, 2021. "Openness to Diversity and Challenge: Assessment of Undergraduate Attitudes and Experiences in The College of Agriculture at Kansas State University," Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ), Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, vol. 8(1), October.
    20. Gaye D. Ceyhan & Alia N. Thompson & Jeremy D. Sloane & Jason R. Wiles & Sule Aksoy & John W. Tillotson, 2019. "The Socialization and Retention of Low-Income College Students: The Impact of a Wrap-Around Intervention," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(6), pages 249-249, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:62:y:2021:i:8:d:10.1007_s11162-021-09638-8. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.