Results of a National Survey of the Challenges and Coping Mechanisms of Black Adult College Students

Abstract

Black adult men are among one of the segments of the population with the lowest college degree attainment rate. Despite this, there are multiple avenues for Black adult men to complete a college degree, including participating in degree completion programs. The purpose for conducting the current study was to identify and describe the challenges and coping strategies of adult Black male college students who were enrolled in a bachelor’s level degree completion program in midwestern higher education institutions. With over 150 responses to a research-team developed survey instrument, respondents reported primarily enrolling in these programs to improve their potential for career advancement and were pursuing degrees in either Business or Education. Their primary challenge was self-reported as Lack of Support at Home and the most common response strategy was the use of Peer Study Groups. Respondents also identified Practicing Self Discipline as a primary coping strategy. Study findings provided a baseline of data for future research into how adult Black men approach degree completion as well as introducing the challenge that support at home might be a significant factor in student success.