Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Date

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Alexandrea Golden

Committee Member

Michelle Washington

Committee Member

Taneshia Greenidge

Abstract

Imposter phenomenon (IP; i.e., feelings of fraudulence) has shown deleterious effects on mental health with high prevalence in African American college students. Literature suggests that internalizing stereotypes could increase the risk of developing IP. However, little research has actually explored whether internalized racial beliefs exacerbate the effects of IP on mental health. This study used hierarchical regression to examine internalized racism (IR; i.e., negative beliefs about one’s race) and colorism beliefs as moderators of the relationship between IP and mental health outcomes in 92 African American college students (Mage= 20.39, 82.6% female) at historically white institutions (HWIs). IP was a significant predictor of depression and anxiety. However, IR and colorism beliefs did not moderate these relationships. Implications include understanding the proper support of African American college students as they navigate self-doubt (i.e., IP) and its influence on mental health.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Open Access

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