Factors Relating to the Outsider and Imposter Phenomena in Chicana Graduate Students and Chicana Professionals
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Authors
Torres, Erica
Issue Date
2005
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between acculturation, ethnic identity, and the experiences of Chicana graduate students and Chicana professionals. A total of 53 women of Mexican descent completed a demographic questionnaire, and measures of acculturation and ethnic identity. Participants also completed a Student Experiences Survey (SES) or a Professional Experiences Survey (PES). Principal component analysis of the items within the SES and PES generated three interpretable factors, identified as Community Support, Imposter Phenomenon, and Outsider Phenomenon. The results of the study indicated several factors relating to the experiences of Chicana graduate students and professionals. First, Chicanas who were very Mexican-oriented felt less supported by their family and community, while Chicanas who were less Mexican-oriented felt more supported by their family and community. At the same time, the more these women felt supported by their community, the less they experienced the imposter phenomenon (which included feelings of self-doubt, not belonging, and survivor guilt). Another significant finding indicated that Chicanas who were very Anglo-oriented had fewer experiences of the outsider phenomenon, while Chicanas who were less Anglo-oriented had more experiences of the outsider phenomenon. Several differences emerged between the student and professional samples. First, while students who had a stronger orientation to the Mexican culture experienced greater degrees of the outsider phenomenon, professionals who had a stronger orientation to the Mexican culture, experienced a lower degree of the outsider phenomenon. This study provides several explanations regarding the different findings between the students and professionals. This dissertation provides a couple of important recommendations to help Chicanas complete graduate degrees, as well as to decrease feelings of the imposter and outsider phenomena. Implications of the study, as well as future directions, are also discussed.