Overall Sense of Belonging subscale

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Instrument Overview

Expert Notes AvailableView expert commentary on strengths and cautions for this instrument
Strengths

Validated with racially diverse first-year U.S. college students. Useful for examining how campus climate and college experiences relate to students’ sense of belonging.

Cautions

Evidence is strongest for first-year college students.

The Overall Sense of Belonging subscale is a brief, 3-item survey that measures how well students connect to their school community. This instrument was developed by Dawn Johnson, Matthew Soldner, Jeannie Brown Leonard, Patty Alvarez, Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas, Heather Rowan-Kenyon, and Susan Longerbeam. It is based on previous work by Hurtado and Carter. The tool is designed for students in their first year of college. It assesses how students integrate into both academic and social environments. The subscale contains three items rated on a five-point Likert-style scale. This tool serves as a screening and diagnostic instrument, also hgelping to identify students who do not feel like they fit in to campus culture. Research shows a link between these feelings and the likelihood of finishing a degree. Educators use this scale to monitor student transition and improve school persistence.

Content

Grades
Post secondary
Respondent
Student

Administration Information

Length
5 items

Psychometrics (additional guidance)

Reliability

.84 (Cronbach's alpha)

Item Type
Likert