Retention among first year college students: an application of the theory of planned behavior

It was proposed that attitudes toward college, subjective norms (pressure from family and important others) and perceived control over the ability to succeed in school influence students\u27 intention to stay in school. Forty-seven students (39 females) completed an 88-item survey. Results indicated that students\u27 attitudes and social pressure were the most important predictors of intention to stay in school. These findings suggest that active family involvement in students\u27 education, as well as the incorporation of information regarding the value of a college education into programs such as freshman experience, could aid efforts in helping students succeed at staying in school