Student Success among First Generation College Students at a Small Liberal Arts College

Author : Sangeeta Gupta

Abstract : The present study examined school-related anxiety and self-efficacy among first-generation college students at a small liberal arts college. Prior research shows that first-generation students encounter unique academic barriers and may be at heightened risk for school-related anxiety. Students completed the LASSI Anxiety scale, the Revised Test Anxiety Scale, and a self-efficacy measure. Independent samples t tests and correlations were conducted to compare first-generation and continuing generation students. First-generation students reported significantly higher levels of general school related anxiety on the LASSI measure, although groups did not differ on test anxiety. The two anxiety measures were strongly correlated, but only LASSI Anxiety was associated with first-generation status, suggesting that first-generation students in this sample experience broader academic anxiety rather than test-specific anxiety. Self-efficacy did not differ by generation status, though higher self-efficacy was correlated with lower anxiety across all students. These findings indicate that first-generation students at small liberal arts institutions may experience elevated general academic anxiety but may be buffered from self-efficacy deficits often reported at larger institutions.

Keywords : Academic Anxiety and Self-Efficacy in First-Generation College Students

Conference Name : Sangeeta Gupta

Conference Place : Dublin, Ireland

Conference Date : 31st Mar 2026