Coming Home: A Grounded Theory Analysis of Racial–Ethnic–Cultural Belonging Among Students of Color

A key component of racial and ethnic identity, sense of belonging is a complex, multidimensional construct that relates to psychosocial well-being for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). To date, this core component is both undertheorized and does not yet have an operational consensual definition across psychology. This study developed a phenomenologically grounded framework of racial–ethnic–cultural (REC) belonging across 61 BIPOC students within a predominantly White institution. Using grounded theory methodology to analyze results from 12 focus groups and two individual interviews, we identified the common core experience of REC belonging as Coming Home, which comprises three interrelated dimensions: connection, acceptance, and authenticity. Limitations of the study and implications for campus programming, research, and practice are discussed.