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Differential impact of university student living groups

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Abstract

The impact of university student living groups on freshmen students' personal and social development was assessed. The social environments of 42 student living groups were measured by the University Residence Environment Scale, which assesses 10 salient dimensions of the social environment. Indices of student personal and social growth were assessed by a biographical and experience questionnaire at the beginning and the end of the freshman year. The social environments of the living groups had differential impacts on student interactions and activities and student self-descriptions and feelings. For example, living groups that emphasized academic achievement facilitated negative affect and exhaustion and inhibited artistic appreciation and impulsive-deviancy. Student living groups constitute important subenvironments which should be assessed in future college impact studies.

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Moos, R.H., DeYoung, A.J. & Van Dort, B. Differential impact of university student living groups. Res High Educ 5, 67–82 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991960

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