Protective factors and processes contributing to the academic success of students living in poverty: Implications for counselors

<p> This phenomenological qualitative study examined a national sample of high&hyphen;achieving, low&hyphen;income middle school students' (N = 24) perspectives of protective factors and processes that contribute to their academic success in school. Four main themes and 12 subthemes were identified. The main themes are peer social capital, teachers who care, family and community assets, and multiple streams of motivation. Implications for counselors who serve students living in poverty are discussed.</p><p> Este estudio cualitativo fenomenol&oacute;gico examin&oacute; las perspectivas de factores de protecci&oacute;n y procesos que contribuyen al &eacute;xito acad&eacute;mico escolar de una muestra nacional de alumnos de escuela media con altos logros y bajos ingresos (N = 24). Se identificaron cuatro temas principales y doce subtemas. Los temas principales son capital social entre pares, maestros que muestran inter&eacute;s, recursos familiares y comunitarios, y m&uacute;ltiples fuentes de motivaci&oacute;n. Se discuten las implicaciones para consejeros que sirven a estudiantes que viven en la pobreza.</p>