“I Just Feel Like I Have To Duke It Out By Myself”: How Latino Men Cope With Academic And Personal Obstacles During College

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to identify the academic and social challenges that Latino men encountered during college as well as understand how Latino men utilized coping responses to overcome those obstacles. Latino men in this study most often encountered four major academic and social obstacles during their college experience: over involvement with on-campus organizations, academic preparedness, family influence, and building a support system. To cope with these challenges, study participants often chose to cope internally with obstacles, rather than reaching out and utilizing support systems. The men who utilized support systems to cope with their challenges relied mainly on college peers and mentors.