Examining the Experience of College Resident Advisors: A Computer-Aided Text Analysis

This study employed computer-aided text analysis (CATA) using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software to investigate how college resident advisors narrate their lived experiences through blogging. A corpus of resident advisor-authored Reddit posts (N ≈ 484,000 words) was analyzed and compared to a reference corpus of general blogs to assess linguistic, psycholinguistic, psychological, and psychosocial language processes. Results revealed that resident advisors use more group-oriented and future-focused language, demonstrate higher levels of clout and work-related discourse, and show minimal engagement with mental health language. These findings suggest resident advisors maintain a professional tone and emphasize community but may lack sufficient training or cultural support with using language related to emotional or mental health concerns. Implications include the need for enhanced resident advisor training focused on mental health communication and leadership development. The study highlights the value of natural language analysis in understanding the lived experiences of resident advisors on college campuses.