Marianismo, Mental Health, and Educational Persistence of Latina STEM College Students

Abstract

In order to better assist Latinas in STEM, it is imperative to understand the impact of cultural values in their educational persistence. This study uses a national dataset of Latina STEM college students to examine the relationship between positive and negative marianismo beliefs and how this impacts mental health and educational persistence. Findings from the study demonstrated that endorsing positive aspects of marianismo beliefs benefited the educational persistence of Latinx STEM college students. Results can inform institutions on how to develop programs that increase Latina STEM student persistence.