Aaron W. Hughey

Publication Date

8-1983

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Thomas Updike, Stephen Schnacke, Carl Kreisler

Degree Program

Department of Educational Administration, Leadership and Research

Degree Type

Specialist in Education

Abstract

Selected occupants of University residence hall rooms accommodating three students in a physical facility originally designed for only two occupants were compared to selected occupants of rooms accommodating two residents in a physical facility originally designed for two occupants. They were compared along two psychological dimensions: frustration (stress) and self-perception. Both groups responded to an instrument package consisting of The Student Life Event Questionnaire, The Self Perception Assessment, and The Frustration Assessment. These instruments were designed to measure relative stress levels and relative strengths of self-perception.

The returned instrument packages were scored and a comparison was made between the two groups through a series of t tests. The possible relationship between stress and self-perception was assessed through use of the Pearson r.

There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores reported by the two groups on The Student Life Event Questionnaire at the .01 level of significance. A statistically significant difference was found to exist between the scores reported by the two groups on The Self Perception Assessment at the .01 level of significance. The triple occupancy group demonstrated a characteristically lower strength of self-perception. A statistically significant difference was also found to exist between the scores reported by the two groups on The Frustration Assessment at the .01 level of significance. The triple-occupancy group demonstrated a characteristically higher level of stress as exhibited through frustration.

Pearson r correlation coefficients revealed that the scores reported by both groups on The Self-Perception Assessment and The Frustration Assessment were not related to any meaningful extent. For the entire sample, the correlation coefficient was .021.

Based on these considerations, the recommendation was made that colleges and universities refrain from assigning three students into a physical facility designed for only two occupants. Reasons for this recommendation included the demonstrated detrimental effects of such an arrangement on the personal, social, emotional and educational well-being of the individuals involved.

Disciplines

Education | Higher Education | Psychology | School Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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