The primary purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the characteristics of nonparental significant adults that university students recalled from when they were in grades K-12. University students are compared across groups and within groups according to age, gender, and ethnicity. Minority university students identify ethnically alike adults whereas Caucasians are selected second most often. Teachers and coaches as a group represent more than half of the nonrelated significant adults recalled. Nonparental significant adults recalled from the past appear to have important influence throughout the lifespan. The retrospective methodologies employed in this study generated data consistent with data collected from adolescents surveyed on similar topics during their youth.
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