Commuter College Student Adjustment: Peer Crowd Affiliation as a Driver of Loneliness, Belongingness, and Risk Behaviors

Abstract

Although previous research has clearly demonstrated the impact that peer crowd affiliation has on socioemotional and risk-related outcomes, very few studies have investigated this relation in samples of emerging adults, and even fewer have focused specifically on commuter college students. Accordingly, the current study aimed to fill this gap in the literature by exploring the relationship between peer crowds and college adjustment at a commuter school. Participants were 663 students at a large public university in Southern California (campus population of 92% commuters). Factor analytic results indicated the presence of four crowd dimensions on campus: (a) social/partiers, (b) creatives and activists, (c) campus active, and (d) international students. Furthermore, path analysis results indicated that these crowd dimensions predict loneliness, college belongingness, and risk behaviors. Overall, the results of this study indicate the presence of a peer crowd landscape unique to commuter schools that has important implications for student adjustment.

Patterns of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Substance Use Among Young Adult Peer Crowds

“…Research has found that identification with peer crowds is common among young adults 25 and continues to have significant associations with risk behaviors and indicators of emotional well-being. 26,27 Much work in this area has been done among college students. 5,25,28,29 Kuh and colleagues 30 describe typologies of college students based on factors, such as involvement in academics, sports/recreation, arts/music, and social activities.…”

“…Regional studies have found that associations between peer crowd identification and risk behavior among young adults largely mirror those found among adolescents. 3,26,27,31 Lisha and colleagues 3 surveyed young adult bar patrons in California, and found that identifying as hip hop was associated with an increased likelihood of cigarette, e-cigarette, and cigar use, whereas identification with the young professional crowd (akin to the academic crowd in adolescents) was associated with a decreased likelihood of tobacco use. 3 Akin to the academic crowd in adolescents, the young professional crowd prioritizes their careers and is less trend sensitive than the social/partier crowd.…”