Imposter syndrome — the persistent fear of being 'found out' as less capable than others believe — frequently co-occurs with and amplifies race and ethnicity.
The Race and Ethnicity-Imposter Syndrome Cycle
- Race and Ethnicity undermines confidence, making imposter thoughts more frequent and believable
- Imposter syndrome creates chronic self-doubt that worsens race and ethnicity
- Overwork and perfectionism (imposter coping strategies) deplete resources needed to manage race and ethnicity
Who Gets Imposter Syndrome with Race and Ethnicity?
Imposter syndrome is most common in high achievers and in people from underrepresented groups in their field. It's particularly prevalent in academic and professional contexts where race and ethnicity is also common.
Breaking the Race and Ethnicity-Imposter Cycle
- Keep an evidence file: Document compliments, successes, positive feedback
- Separate feelings from facts: Feeling like an imposter doesn't make you one
- Normalize it: Imposter syndrome is nearly universal among high achievers
- Therapy: CBT effectively addresses both imposter syndrome and race and ethnicity