SELF-COMPASSION: A PROTECTIVE FACTOR FOR THE PERSISTENCE OF MEXICAN AND MEXICAN AMERICAN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Thesis (Ph.D.), Counseling Psychology, Washington State Universityby Laura Preciado, Ph.D. Washington State University July 2018 Chair: Brian McNeill The purpose of this research is to expand what is known about the factors that support the academic persistence of Mexican and Mexican American college students. Features of self-compassion have been considered amid research on academic persistence (Neff, Hsieh, Dejitterat, 2005). The relationships between demographic variables, ethnic identity and self-compassion were explored and evaluated as potential factors influencing the academic persistence of Mexican and Mexican American college students (Castellanos & Gloria, 2007; Raque-Bogdan, Ericson, Jackson, Martin & Bryan, 2011). Also explored within this study is the applicability of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) with Mexican and Mexican American college students. The findings suggest that demographic variables and ethnic identity are significant predictors of self-compassion scores. Findings also revealed a less than ideal model fit for the SCS when used with a Mexican and Mexican American college student population. Future research should continue to investigate the way culture and ethnic background influence the way individuals relate to themselves and the SCS.Washington State University, Counseling Psycholog