Diversity and Perceived Diversity Management as Predictors of Student Satisfaction

With increasing diversity of university students, diversity management (DiM) is required in the context of university education. The present study examines if students' diversity and their perception of DiM can predict student satisfaction. Based on Person-Environment Fit (P-E-Fit) Theory, students' need for DiM is contrasted with the perceived supply by their university teachers. 138 first-year students were presented with a questionnaire to assess objective diversity, perceived DiM, and student satisfaction. A principal component analysis yielded four components of DiM: basic attributes, cultural attributes, cognitive-motivational skills, and working and parenting. In multiple regression analyses, the subjective P-E-Fit on these components is used beyond objective student diversity to predict the three components of student satisfaction according to Westermann et al. (1996). The results show that DiM-Fit regarding students' cognitive and motivational skills is a significant predictor of both satisfaction with the conditions of studying and satisfaction with one's coping with study-related stress.