USF St. Petersburg campus Honors Program Theses (Undergraduate)

First Advisor

Frank Biafora, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Byron Miller, Ph.D.

Publisher

University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2022

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationship between racial identity development and self-esteem among Black and White female college students in the southern United States, with particular attention to the influence of different institutional environments. Through a review of scholarly literature and research conducted at Spelman College, Florida A&M University (FAMU), and Florida State University (FSU), the study explores how historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), predominantly White institutions (PWIs), and single-gender colleges shape students’ racial identity and self-perceptions. Drawing on Cross’s Nigrescence Theory and theories of self-esteem development, the research finds that Black female students attending HBCUs tend to demonstrate stronger racial identity development and greater racial identity internalization than their counterparts at predominantly White institutions. However, the literature reviewed suggests that self-esteem levels do not differ substantially between students at HBCUs and PWIs, indicating that racial identity and self-esteem are related but distinct constructs. The study concludes that campus characteristics such as racial composition, social environment, and institutional size play important roles in shaping students’ experiences, with smaller and more racially homogeneous institutions generally providing conditions that foster stronger racial identity development and support positive self-esteem among female students. [declouetgr...2 Thesis-2 | PDF]

Comments

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University Honors Program University of South Florida, St. Petersburg December 2, 2022.

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