Universität zu Köln

Sengsouliya, Souksakhone (2025). Dropout Trends among Laotian Hmong Minority Lifelong Learners in Adult Education. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

This study investigates the dropout decisions of Laotian Hmong minority students in higher education. Multiple methodological approaches were employed to provide a comprehensive analysis. First, an integrative review of the literature was conducted to explore theoretical perspectives on minority student attrition and the key factors contributing to their withdrawal from higher education. Additionally, a qualitative research design was utilized to examine patterns in the reasons for student dropout and the influence of familial factors on their educational experiences. A total of 11 Hmong minority students who had permanently withdrawn from a Laotian university participated in in-depth-interviews. The interview data were analyzed using a mixed procedure of deductive category assignment and inductive category formation. The findings indicate a distinct pattern, wherein the majority of student leavers attributed their dropout decisions to a single category of factors. More specifically, family-related factors emerged as the predominant reason for withdrawal. Given the strong familial ties among Hmong minority students, responsibilities such as caring for parents and supporting family members were found to significantly impact their educational persistence. This study highlights the need for further research and statistical validation of the identified variables to deepen the understanding of minority student attrition in higher education.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Sengsouliya, Souksakhone sengsouliya@nuol.edu.la UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-754362
Date:	2025
Language:	English
Faculty:	Collaborative Research Centers Ehemalige Erziehungswissenschaftliche Fakultät Ehemalige Heilpädagogische Fakultät External institution
Divisions:	Faculty of Human Sciences > Department Erziehungs- und Sozialwissenschaften
Subjects:	Education
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Dropout patterns UNSPECIFIED Higher Education UNSPECIFIED Hmong Minority UNSPECIFIED Minority Student Attrition UNSPECIFIED
Date of oral exam:	10 March 2025
Referee:	Name Academic Title Schemmann, Michael Prof. Dr. Schmidt-Hertha, Bernhard Prof. Dr.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/75436