Impacts of the Impostor Phenomenon on the Mental Health of Black and Latinx, First-Generation College Students at a Predominantly White Institution

This qualitative study examines how impostor phenomenon (IP) influences the mental health, academic success, and sense of belonging of Black and Latinx first-generation college students at a predominantly White institution (PWI). Semi-structured interviews with 12 participants revealed four core themes: mental health challenges, internalized pressure, lack of belonging, and unequal access to institutional knowledge and networks. Grounded in intersectionality and informed by first-generation student theory, findings highlight how systemic inequities, racialized campus climates, and underrepresentation shape students’ psychological well-being and academic navigation. This study advocates for culturally responsive mental health services, and identity-affirming institutional strategies that mitigate impostor syndrome and foster equity, belonging, and holistic student success.