Impact of Critical Race Theory on the Development of Impostor Syndrome and Anxiety Among Black Female Doctoral Students with the Superwoman Schema Lens

Holmes, Danielle

Dissertation

Impact of Critical Race Theory on the Development of Impostor Syndrome and Anxiety Among Black Female Doctoral Students with the Superwoman Schema Lens

Public Deposited

Download PDF

Abstract

Research has shown that inequitable practices in the educational system have created barriers for Black women pursuing doctoral degrees. These obstacles are multifaceted. This qualitative phenomenological study examined the impacts of racism on Black female doctoral students with a focus on how Impostor Phenomenon and anxiety were exhibited as outcomes. The study centered on Critical Race Theory and Superwoman Schema as its theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who identified as Black, female, currently enrolled, or graduated within 10 years. All participants experienced racism, anxiety, and Impostor Phenomenon and were in schools located in the northeastern region of the United States. From those interviews, three themes were extrapolated: Structural and Environmental Isolation, Systemic Racism Resulting in Anxiety and Racism, and Resilience in Academia. These were taken from coded sections such as lack of representation, inadequate support, discriminatory incidents, system barriers and tokenism, advocacy, and resilience, among others. The results indicated that Black female doctoral students many times find fewer support structures at the doctoral level while facing various obstacles throughout their journeys in educational systems. Based on these findings, recommended interventions were recruiting Black and People of Color (POC) faculty; reviewing the curriculum to remain culturally relevant; implementing mentorship and affinity groups; and community, assessment, and strategic planning for access and utilization of resources (e.g., teaching opportunities, publication opportunities, etc.).

Last modified