Imposter Syndrome Among First- and Continuing-Generation College Students: The Roles of Perfectionism and Stress

More research is needed to understand the relationships between imposter syndrome, perfection, and stress, as well as how they might be similar or different among first- and continuing-generation college students. This research study examines the relationships among imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and stress among first- and continuing-generation college students. Participants included 388 college students, including 184 (47.4%) first-generation students. Results indicate levels of imposter syndrome and stress are similar between first- and continuing-generation students. Levels of socially prescribed perfectionism are significantly correlated with imposter syndrome and stress for both groups; however, imposter syndrome is more strongly associated with stress among first-generation students. Implications for college student mental health and retention are discussed.

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A Mental Health Literacy Approach to Supporting First-Generation Community College Student Mental Health: The REDFLAGS Model

Community College Review ◽

10.1177/00915521211002893 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009155212110028

Author(s):

Michael T. Kalkbrenner ◽

Ryan E. Flinn ◽

Danielle K. Sullivan ◽

Luis E. Esquivel Arteaga

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Community College ◽

College Student ◽

Community College Students ◽

First Generation ◽

Community College Student ◽

Warning Signs ◽

Student Mental Health ◽

College Student Mental Health

Objective: First-generation community college students face unique risks for mental health distress, which can place them at risk for attrition and a myriad of other negative consequences. The aim of the present quantitative investigation was to test the utility of the REDFLAGS model, a mental health literacy based tool for supporting mental wellness, with a national sample of first-generation community college students. Method: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), logistic regression analysis, and a factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) were computed to test the utility of the REDFLAGS model as a tool for promoting first-generation community college students’ mental health. Results: The CFA demonstrated that the dimensionality of the REDFLAGS model was estimated adequately with first-generation community college students. First-generation community college students’ recognition of the REDFLAGS as warning signs for mental distress emerged as a significant positive predictor of making a peer-to-peer referral to the counseling center. The factorial ANOVA revealed that first-generation community college students who were members of a Greek Organization were more likely to identify the REDFLAGS as warning signs for mental distress. Contributions: Previous investigators established multiple strategies for supporting the mental health needs of either first-generation or community college students. First-generation community college student mental health, however, has received little attention. This study demonstrates the utility of the REDFLAGS model with first-generation community college students. Considering the dearth of literature on first-generation community college student mental health, the REDFLAGS model offers novel implications for promoting the mental health needs of first-generation students enrolled in community colleges.

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Mental Health Issues Facing a Diverse Sample of College Students: Results from the College Student Mental Health Survey

NASPA Journal ◽

10.2202/0027-6014.1676 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Johanna Soet ◽

Todd Sevig

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

College Student ◽

Health Survey ◽

Research Policy ◽

Health Issues ◽

Student Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

College Student Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Survey

Over the past 5 years there has been increased attention given to mental health issues on college and university campuses across the country. However, few research efforts have been conducted to systematically investigate the mental health of college students. The College Student Mental Health Survey was undertaken as a first step towards gaining a better understanding of the broad range of mental health issues that face the college student population. This exploratory study describes the mental health history and current distress and coping of 939 college students from a large Midwestern public university, with an approximate enrollment of 40,000 students. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.

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