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The Relationship Between Low-Income College Students’ Time Use and Well-Being: A Mixed Methods Exploration

Author

Listed:
  • Joseph A. Kitchen

    (University of Southern California)

  • Nicholas A. Bowman

    (University of Iowa)

  • Ralitsa Todorova

    (University of Southern California)

  • Lauren N. Irwin

    (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)

  • Zoë B. Corwin

    (University of Southern California)

Abstract

Recent reports show that low-income students make up a significant share of those participating in higher education, and their well-being constitutes a key factor that influences their college success. This mixed-methods study examined first-year, low-income students’ time use and its relationship to well-being framed by an equity-oriented lens that recognizes the time constraints low-income students navigate. Our mixed methods findings identified the link between time use and well-being and—critically—empirical explanations for these links. First, leveraging a unique experience sampling survey design and multilevel analyses, we found that attending class, studying or doing homework, and working for pay were consistently and adversely related to low-income students’ well-being. Low-income students who were also first-generation in college fared worse than continuing-generation students when engaging in these experiences. On the other hand, socializing was positively related to low-income students’ well-being. Second, an exploration of longitudinal data from hundreds of student interviews illuminated two primary factors that shaped the relationship between low-income students’ time use and well-being: (a) structuring time and developing a routine, and (b) the power of reflection and meaning-making. These findings provide important novel insights about low-income students’ college experiences and the relationship between their time use and well-being, and offer crucial guidance for educators on how to support low-income students’ well-being as they navigate college.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph A. Kitchen & Nicholas A. Bowman & Ralitsa Todorova & Lauren N. Irwin & Zoë B. Corwin, 2024. "The Relationship Between Low-Income College Students’ Time Use and Well-Being: A Mixed Methods Exploration," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 65(8), pages 1934-1964, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:65:y:2024:i:8:d:10.1007_s11162-024-09812-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-024-09812-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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