A Quantitative Study of the Multiracial College Student Experience With Identity Denial, Perceptions of Multiracial Discrimination, and College Belonging

Abstract

This quantitative research study examined the experiences of multiracial college students regarding racial identity and perceptions of discrimination against multiracial people, as well as college belonging, compared to their monoracial peers. Multiracial individuals can encounter microaggressions and racism as a result of not fitting into societal norms based on a monoracial paradigm. By examining lived experiences, the research study advocates for higher education institutions to examine systemic practices that can impact all students, emphasizing inclusivity beyond monoracial perspectives. Using critical multiracial theory (MultiCrit) and investigating structural determinism in conjunction with the diversity, equity, and inclusion framework, the study examined the impact of race as a social construct and how external factors affect identity development. In response to survey questions in this quantitative research, the study analyzed identity denial, perceived discrimination, and college belongingness among multiracial and monoracial students. With 200 participants (145 monoracial and 55 multiracial), the study increased reliability through diverse demographics in the sample size and by ensuring data analysis used appropriate methodology. By highlighting multiracial students’ experiences in higher education, the research aimed to champion higher education to foster inclusivity and belonging outside the current monoracial structures. The results indicated an opportunity, focusing on MultiCrit, to examine systemic practices through a lens of supporting those students outside of the monoracial systemic structure. The study results indicated a need for educational institutions to evaluate how their monoracial norms impact students with multiracial backgrounds.