How Imposter Syndrome Affects First Generation Latinx College Students 

Research Summary

For my project, I wanted to look at how imposter syndrome negatively impacts first-generation Latinx college students during and post-college. Imposter syndrome, recognized as being a behavioral health phenomenon described as feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, fear of failure, and anxiousness in an educational or workplace setting, has garnered minimum attention in society. I decided to focus on this topic as systems of oppression (e.g., racism, financial disparity, lack of mental health, and institutions of power) have contributed to the expansion of the phenomenon. In order to understand how these systems of oppression have a role in imposter system developing, we must look at the difference of experiences during vs. post-college. Unlike continuing-generation college students, first-generation Latinx college students participate in debt aversion, the unwillingness to take on debt. The average income for a Latinx household in 2000 was roughly around $30,000 compared to an Asian American household being $58,444. Due to this financial disparity, many Latinx college students move towards dropping out of college as their financial situation is strained. Post-college, many first-generation Latinx individuals experience a transference of imposter syndrome from the educational setting to a professional one. To measure imposter syndrome in the professional setting, the usage of LatCrit Theory can help explain how race and racism explicitly and implicitly have an impact on the structure specifically for Latinx individuals. Utilizing this theory reveals that racism experienced during ones' collegiate career creates the transference to the professional settings as the first-generation individual will continue to create a sense of doubt, shame, and questioning of skill in a different environment. Imposter syndrome can also be promoted by the conditions of a workplace; if the individual is exposed to a high-pressure space, this will inevitably feed into their feelings of self-doubt. Methods to deal with imposter syndrome have been provided to educators to better help first-generation Latinx students. Social workers and college counselors have made a push for first-generation students to obtain mental health access, making sure this population can have access to mental health services. In a professional setting, we see Critical Race Theory being encouraged as basic training when entering the workplace. This would include discussion of how different marginalized groups may continue to experience oppression within the workplace or in a higher education setting. This relates to foundational knowledge from the first half of the course as it addresses how race/ethnicity does have an impact on one's education. With my research, I have advanced our understanding of this area because it addresses how oppression can still impact one's education or advancement in the workforce. By bringing light to this topic, I hope this newfound awareness can influence others students or institutions to understand that regardless if one is not able to see how these systems of oppression work behind the scene, we must address and attempt to fix the systems to make a better playing field for all.