Impostor phenomenon, self-compassion, and campus connectedness in Black female undergraduates

Abstract

Aim: This study explored the relationship between impostor phenomenon (IP), campus connectedness, self-compassion, and mental health among Black female undergraduate students attending an HBCU. Methods: Participants completed study measures via an online survey platform. Results: Linear regression analyses identified statistically significant relationships between campus connectedness, self-compassion, feelings of IP, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that both self-compassion and campus connectedness explained statistically significant variance in mental health after controlling for the influence of IP on students’ anxiety and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Implications of this finding suggest student support services could develop and utilize programs that educate students about self-compassion interventions in order to decrease IP, which is directly linked with depression and anxiety.