A comparison of nontraditional and traditional students in the areas of manifest anxiety, self-esteem, and self perception.

Abstract

For numerous reasons. adults over the age of 25 are deciding to attend college. These older adults have become known as nontraditional students. Some reports suggest that the mental functioning abilities and unsharpened skills of the nontraditional students places them at a disadvantage in the college classroom. Although vast amounts of research have compared and contrasted the educational experiences of the traditional and nontraditional students. none seem to delineate. compare, and contrast the personality characteristics unique to each group. The purpose of the present research project was to provide preliminary data in this area. More specifically. the present study examined the levels of manifest anxiety and self-esteem reported by both traditional and nontraditional college students. Additionally. the self perceptions of traditional and nontraditional students were examined and compared. The data indicated no significant differences between traditional and nontraditional students in the areas of manifest anxiety and self-esteem. However, strong gender differences were obtained. Results from the Self Perception Inventory showed significant gender effects for 6 of the 13 domains and type of student X gender interactions were present in 3 of the domains. All results were discussed and possible reasons for their occurrence given. Implications for further research were also provided.