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Data from 201 RAs at a southern U.S. university show the scale is generally reliable, though it may be too easy for many RAs. One item differs significantly between new and returning RAs, indicating changing perceptions of RA belonging. Results support tailored onboarding and leadership development, and highlight the role of diversity training while refining RARABS-10 to strengthen inclusive RA communities.",{"@graph":69,"@context":122},[70,84,105],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":40,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/measuring-new-and-returning-resident-assistants-sense-of-belonging-paper/599481/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/measuring-new-and-returning-resident-assistants-sense-of-belonging-paper/599481.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"WPS_1790064749","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-30","2026-10-15",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":34},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",{"@type":106,"mainEntity":107},"FAQPage",[108,114,118],{"name":109,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":111},"What does the study evaluate using the RARABS-10 scale?","Question",{"text":112,"@type":113},"It evaluates the measurement invariance of the Resident Assistants (RAs) Belongingness Scale (RARABS-10) using Rasch-based Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis.","Answer",{"name":115,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":116},"How many Resident Assistants were included in the analysis, and where was it conducted?",{"text":117,"@type":113},"The analysis included 201 RAs surveyed at a large southern U.S. university.",{"name":119,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":120},"What key difference did the study find between new and returning RAs?",{"text":121,"@type":113},"One item showed significant differences between new and returning RAs, suggesting evolving perceptions of RA belonging.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":124,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":126,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":128,"site_id":62},599481,1792209865,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":131},{"doc_id":128,"user_id":132,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":39,"category_name":40,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":34,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":139,"language":140,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":144,"read_time":145},3985747859154,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_276721f389ce27ea32af1340a28f341c","MEASURING NEW AND RETURNING RESIDENT ASSISTANTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING  \nChunling Niu Rui Jin  \nUniversity of the Incarnate Word Shenzhen University  \nHirotaka Kato Ashley S. Love  \nUniversity of Kentucky University of the Incarnate Word  \nAbstract  \nThis study evaluates the measurement invariance of the Resident Assistants (RAs) Belongingness Scale (RARABS-10) using Rasch-based Differential Item Functioning (DIF) Analysis. Examining 201 RAs at a [southern U.S. university](southern U.S. university), we found the scale generally reliable but potentially too easy for many RAs. One item showed significant differences between new and returning RAs, suggesting evolving perceptions of RA belonging. Findings indicate the need for tailored support strategies: intensive onboarding for new RAsand advanced leadership opportunities for returning RAs. The study also emphasizes the importance of diversity training in RA development programs. By refining the RARABS-10 and implementing targeted approaches, institutions can enhance RA effectiveness in fostering inclusive communities. This research advances understanding and measuring of RA belongingness and informs nuanced approaches to RA development in higher education.  \nKeywords: RA belonging, Rasch Rating Scale Model, Differential Item Analysis (DIF), model misfit  \nPlease direct inquires about this manuscript to: Chunling Niu, [cniu@uiwtx.edu](cniu@uiwtx.edu), ORCID: 0000-0002-9106-0417  \nCollege Student Affairs Journal, Volume 42(1), pp. 40-60 ISSN 2381-2338  \nCopyright 2024 Southern Association for College Student Affairs All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.  \n41 College Student Affairs Journal Vol. 42, No.2, 2024  \nB  \nelongingness, a fundamental human need to form and maintain interpersonal relationships, plays a crucial role in higher education settings (Bau-  \nmeister & Leary, 1995; Ryan & Deci, 2000) . Within universities, residence halls serve as primary environments for fostering a sense of belonging among students, with Resident Assistants (RAs) playing a pivotal role in this process (Blimling, 2003; Porter & Newman, 2016) . Our study adoptsa quantitative, Rasch approach to examine how well the Resident Assistants Belongingness Scale (RARABS-10) measures RAs’ sense of belonging. To that purpose, we surveyed 201 RAs at a large southern [U.S. university. This](U.S. university. This) study matters to higher education administrators, researchers, and RAs themselves, as it aims to provide a valid and reliable tool for assessing RA belongingness, which can inform practices for supporting and retaining these crucial student leaders.  \nThe concept of school belonging, defined as“the extent to which students feel personally accepted, respected, included, and supported by others in the school social environment”(Goodenow & Grady, 1993, p. 80), has been extensively studied in K-12 settings. However, its application and measurement in higher education contexts, particularly among student leaders like RAs, remain underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the effectiveness ofthe RARABS-10 scale in capturing RAs’ sense of belonging, which is crucial for their well-being and ability to foster belongingness among other students.  \nUsing Rasch-based Differential Item Functioning (DIF) Analysis, we investigate how the RARABS-10 scale performs across different groups of RAs, specifically comparing new hires and returning RAs. This approach allows us to assess the scale’s invariance and reliability in measuring belongingness across these subgroups, which is essential for accurately understanding and supporting RAs in their vital roles within university communities.  \nThe following sections provide a compre-  \nhensive review of relevant literature, theoretical frameworks guiding this study, and the rationale for our methodological approach. We then present our findings, discuss their implications for RA support and retention, and offer recommendations for future resea","cbCaieUNzVwsf5ca","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaieUNzVwsf5ca","pdf",1368754,21,"English","# Abstract\n# Introduction\n## Background and rationale\n## Study purpose\n# Literature Review\n## School Belonging in Higher Education\n## Role of Resident Assistants\n# Method\n## Rasch-based DIF analysis\n# Findings and Implications\n## Scale reliability and item differences\n## Recommendations for RA development","[{\"question\":\"What does the study evaluate using the RARABS-10 scale?\",\"answer\":\"It evaluates the measurement invariance of the Resident Assistants (RAs) Belongingness Scale (RARABS-10) using Rasch-based Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis.\"},{\"question\":\"How many Resident Assistants were included in the analysis, and where was it conducted?\",\"answer\":\"The analysis included 201 RAs surveyed at a large southern U.S. university.\"},{\"question\":\"What key difference did the study find between new and returning RAs?\",\"answer\":\"One item showed significant differences between new and returning RAs, suggesting evolving perceptions of RA belonging.\"}]","MEASURING NEW AND RETURNING RESIDENT ASSISTANTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING - Paper | PDF",1792088849,53]