“The only way I feel connected is through other Latinx friends”: Latinx Ethnic Identity, Social Connection, and Sense of Belonging at a Southeastern Predominantly White Institution

Research demonstrates that Latinx students enrolled in Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) face challenges in locating a sense of belonging and creating social connections on campus (e.g., Dueñas & Gloria, 2020). A lack of sense of belonging and limited access to affirming social connections can have negative consequences on ethnic identity development (e.g., Jones & Galliher, 2014). Our study sought to further investigate the experiences of Latinx students at a southeastern PWI, their experiences with locating a sense of belonging and social connections on campus, as well as their experiences navigating their ethnic identity development. Focus group data was collected from undergraduate and graduate Latinx students (n = 20) and our sample included both domestic students and international student perspectives. Data was analyzed using a critical-constructivist grounded theory (Levitt, 2021) approach. Findings indicate two core categories: 1) navigating ethnic identity with intersecting identities, and 2) creating a sense of belonging and connection with other Latinxs. Our preliminary conceptual model shows ethnic identity is utilized to locate a sense of belonging and social connection on campus with other Latinxs, and that sense of belonging and connection then functions to affirm and support ethnic identity development. Our findings have implications in clinical, institutional, and advocacy realms for PWIs to provide Latinx-specific resources and services.