Impostor Syndrome and Diversity: Race, Ethnicity, and Generation

Presenter

Alejandra Marianne Ponce Lopez

Campus

UMass Dartmouth

Sponsor

Kristen Sethares, Department of Nursing, UMass Dartmouth

Schedule

Session 3, 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A93, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 5 (A81-A100) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

While high-achieving students are admirable in their efforts and accomplishments, their mental health is cause for concern. Impostor syndrome involves chronic self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud in connection to feelings of incompetence, inadequacy, and an inability to feel self-pride or internalize accomplishments. In this mixed methods study, researchers investigated potential links between diversity-related variables such as race, ethnicity, and first-generation student status relative to impostor syndrome and other personal variables. A sample of undergraduate university students (n = 32) in the qualitative study completed six instruments: impostor syndrome (Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale, 20 items, higher scores indicate more impostor feelings), general mental health (Mental Health Inventory-5, 5 items, lower scores indicate poorer mental health), perfectionism (Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, 35 items, higher scores indicate higher perfectionism), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, 10 items, higher scores indicate higher self-esteem), and diversity-related stressors (Minority Status Stress Scale, 33 items, higher scores indicate higher diversity-related stress). A smaller sample (n = 4) opted to complete an in-person interview for the qualitative study. The results suggest that none of the diversity-related variables were significantly correlated to, nor were they predictors of, impostor syndrome. However, significant correlations were found for impostor syndrome and low self-esteem (r = -.36, p = .045), and impostor syndrome and perfectionism (r = .65, p = <.001). Perfectionism was also found to be an independent predictor of impostor syndrome (β = .60, p = <.001). The results are discussed in light of previous research and potential links between impostor syndrome and declined well-being.  

Keywords

impostor, shame, belief perseverance, diversity, unrealistically high expectations

Research Area

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

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