Back to results

Eastern Kentucky University

Investigations Of The Impostor Phenomenon Among Female First-Generation College Students And A Research University

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This study investigated whether first-generation female students experience the Impostor Phenomenon, and the extent these students suffer from the phenomenon. A convenience sample was used to draw from a targeted group of 205 first-generation college students. The method of data collection was a self-reporting survey, the Survey of First-Generation College Students, which consisted of a demographic survey and the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). Descriptive statistics found 90% of students in this study experienced impostor feelings. Of those experiencing IP, 31.7% experienced moderate feelings, 45% experienced frequent feelings, and 13.3% of participants reported intense feelings. Fear and hesitation of potential performance and doing poorly when completing tasks were most prevalent amongst these IP sufferers. Independent sample t-test found no significant relationship between feelings of IP based on the student's cultural or ethnic minority status, parents with less than a high school education, or receipt a Federal Pell Grant. Bivariate (Pearson) correlations found no differences between IP feelings and time in college, nor between IP feelings and grade point average. Although no differences were found between the varying demographic characteristics, the negative effects of IP on students are well documented. Therefore, the need to understand IP is valuable when identifying those at risk of leaving, and strategic planning necessary to retain and graduate these students. </p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Level thesis:degree_level
Doctoral's
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Grantor dc:publisher
Eastern Kentucky University
Year
2018

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Martin, Martina A.

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Copyright 2018 Martina A. Martin

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/574
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1572

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Eastern Kentucky University
Base URL
encompass.eku.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Martin, Martina A.. Investigations Of The Impostor Phenomenon Among Female First-Generation College Students And A Research University. Doctoral's thesis, Eastern Kentucky University, 2018. https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/574