Comparative Experiences of First- and Continuing-Generation Social Work Students

ABSTRACT

First-generation college students have received little attention in the social work literature. National data on first-generation students in social work are not collected. However, it is possible that first-generation students are overrepresented in social work programs. This study seeks to fill a critical gap in our literature by investigating differences between first- and continuing-generation social work students, comparing them on hardships, motivations to attend college, knowledge of student services, self-efficacy, stress, grade point average, and plans to attend graduate school. First-generation students in this study had more interdependent reasons for going to college, experienced more stress, and were less likely to plan to pursue an MSW. No differences were found in grade point average.

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Notes on contributors

Lamont D. Simmons

Lamont D. Simmons is assistant professor at Salem State University. Laura C. Taylor is assistant professor, Kenya Anderson is clinical assistant professor, and Susan L. Neely-Barnes is professor at University of Memphis.