College - Author 1
College of Liberal Arts
Department - Author 1
Communication Studies Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BA in Communication Studies
College - Author 2
College of Liberal Arts
Department - Author 2
Communication Studies Department
Degree - Author 2
BA in Communication Studies
College - Author 3
College of Liberal Arts
Department - Author 3
Communication Studies Department
Degree - Author 3
BA in Communication Studies
Date
3-2026
Primary Advisor
Leslie Nelson, College of Liberal Arts, Communication Studies Department
Abstract/Summary
The present study examined the mental health implications of racial and ethnic minorities’ dating experiences at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). The authors conducted retrospective interviews with 20 minority-identifying college students that attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Three primary themes emerged from the conducted research. 1) Feeling excluded from racialized beauty standards threatens self-worth, 2) struggling to find romantic belonging limits emotional safety in relationships and navigating cultural differences in dating produces identity hyperawareness. This study also offers interesting theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, findings display the communication maintenance of identity to how romantic involvement impacts the psychological state of participants. Practically, findings highlight the importance of acknowledging a racialized campus environment and dating as an important part of the college experience. We offer limitations and future research directions for consideration.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/279
Included in
Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons