Belonging at BYU

Predictors of Belonging

CCSA Survey

Demographic characteristics predictive of belonging at BYU (by largest effect size):

• Heterosexual sexual orientation

• Not being a victim of sexual assault

• Serving a mission

• Being female

• Being white

• Serving a mission and being female

NSSE (First-year)

Demographic characteristics predictive of belonging at BYU (by largest effect size):

• Supportive Environment
• Quality of Interactions
• Perceived Gains
• Heterogeneous sexual orientation
• Not a student with a disability
• White
• Not a first-generation student

Model comparison

• NSSE and CCSA have better model fit metrics
• CCSA has the lowest AIC and BIC
• CCSA is the preferred model
• NSSE and CCSA use different variables

Methods Interpretation

• Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is a method to model, estimate, and test variable relations
• Relationships among measured and latent variables
  • Latent variable: cannot be measured directly
• Requires a formal model specification of hypothesized relationships
• Assumes multivariate normality

Recommendations

• Demographics:

  • Heterogenous sexual orientation
  • Frequency of disparaging remarks heard on campus
  • Trade off: decrease of diversity
  • Positive feedback: international status does not decrease diversity
  • Excellence in creating an international culture

• Improve the Student Experience:

  • Perceived gains
  • Quality of interactions
  • Supportive environment

• Factor Analysis for which elements of the constructs contribute to belonging

Study Limitations

• Assumption of the modeling pathways is taken for granted

• How to match belonging survey measurement as in the BYU Belonging statement?

• Timing of surveys

  • CCSA: every three years
  • NSSE: every winter semester for three years

• Response rate:

  • 42-43% in CCS
  • Between 38-60% in NSSE for First-year students

• Sample bias:

  • NSSE First-year students requires fall enrollment

• Create a longitudinal survey to see impact of improvements