Prospective First‐Generation College Students: A Social‐Cognitive Perspective

Abstract

The authors investigated differences in college‐going expectations of middle school students who would be the 1st in their families to attend college. Social‐cognitive career theory (SCCT; R. W. Lent, S. D. Brown, & G. Hackett, 1994) was used to examine college‐related expectations in 272 seventh‐grade students. Differences were found between prospective 1st‐generation college students (PFGCSs) and their non‐PFGCS peers, with the former group demonstrating lower self‐efficacy, higher negative outcome expectations, and more perceived barriers. Path analysis demonstrated partial support for the SCCT model. An alternative model for PFGCSs is proposed.