Selection and Socialization Effects of Living On vs. Off Campus

In: Emerging adulthood, Volume 10, Issue 5, p. 1108-1117

Abstract

College students who live off campus vs. on campus substantially differ, which may be due to socialization or self-selection. We examined longitudinal differences in academics and activities, alcohol use and adjustment, and sexual behaviors between college students who remained on campus vs moved off campus (N = 607). Findings provide more support consistent with selection than with socialization effects. At the start of college, students who eventually moved off campus were less likely to work, drank alcohol more frequently, felt better about their self-image in social relationships, and recently had more kissing and penetrative sex partners than their peers who stayed on campus. When there was support for differences in change over time, it generally indicated that the two groups became more, not less, similar. In support of Developmental Systems Theory (Lerner & Walls, 1999), findings suggest students shape their own environments, and have implications for developing targeted prevention programming.