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ERIC Number: ED411752
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997
Pages: 26
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Relationship between Attitudes toward Diversity and Overall Satisfaction of University Students by Race.
Sedlacek, William E.; Helm, Edward G.; Prieto, Dario O.
This study examined the relationship between perceptions of diversity and overall satisfaction in students at the University of Maryland at College Park. An anonymous 100-item questionnaire on cultural attitudes and climate was mailed to first and third year students, with mail and phone call follow-ups resulting in an overall return rate of 60 percent (N=566). Results were factor analyzed using principal axis factor analysis and varimax rotation. Factor scores and Pearson correlations were calculated. Among the study's findings were: comfort in cross cultural situations and respect for other cultures correlated with overall satisfaction for all students; the more Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Whites were aware of diversity and changing their behavior accordingly, the less satisfied they were with University of Maryland College Park (UMCP); awareness of diversity was not related to overall satisfaction for African Americans; how comfortable African Americans and Hispanic Americans were with their own culture correlated positively with their overall satisfaction while the relationship was not significant for Asian Americans or Whites. For all groups, overall satisfaction was positively related to fair treatment by students and teachers, comfort in cross-cultural situations, and respect for other cultures. Negative correlations were found between satisfaction and perception of racial tension and lack of support. A slight positive correlation was found between awareness of diversity and satisfaction for African Americans, but these were negatively correlated for Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Whites. Results were analyzed in terms of several theoretical models. Tables provide detail on study participants and the statistical analysis. (Contains 22 references.) (BF)
Publication Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Administrators; Practitioners; Researchers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Maryland Univ., College Park. Counseling Center.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A