The relationship of college experiences to psychosocial outcomes in students

In a longitudinal study including a freshman-year study and follow-zip four years later, Chickering's hypotheses about the relationship between colleg iate experiences and psychosocial development were partially supported. Par ticipants were primarily white, traditional-aged college seniors, who atten ded a small liberal arts college. Instruments used were the Student Develop mental Task and Lifestyle Inventory and the College Student Experiences Que stionnaire. Development of purpose and sense of competence were related to collegiate experiences. Measurement issues, however, regarding development over extended periods emerged.