Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Jodi Price
Committee Member
Kristin Weger
Committee Member
Daniel Krenn
Research Advisor
Jodi Price
Subject(s)
Imposter phenomenon, Stereotype threat, Belonging (Social psychology), Resilience (Personality trait)
Abstract
Imposter syndrome (IP) is a psychological phenomenon in which one has an internal experience of intellectual phoniness. Past researchers have found that overall females tend to report higher levels of IP than men, with Stereotype Threat (ST) being a cited explanation. A common denominator in much of the literature is how belongingness can activate ST in females. It has been found that individuals high in IP, especially females, tend to experience poor mental health outcomes. Past research has also established a link between IP and conscientiousness in females, a personality trait related to the facet of grit. The current study examined the relationships between IP, belongingness, psychological distress, and grit. University students (N = 255) were recruited to participate in this study for course/extra credit. Gender differences were found in IP, with females reporting more intense experiences than males. It was also found that IP is negatively correlated with both belongingness and grit while being positively correlated with psychological distress. Experimental manipulations demonstrated that lived experiences of psychological distress and grit can be impacted through vignette interactions. Implications of the current study include a need for future research to examine possible interventions for women experiencing IP and how experimental manipulations can help foster mental-wellbeing and grit at the individual level.
Recommended Citation
Davis, Lindsey C., "The impact of stereotype threat and grit on the experience of imposter syndrome" (2026). Theses. 812.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/812