Imposter Syndrome and Cannabis-Related Outcomes Among Black and White Students at a Predominantly White Institution

Abstract Cannabis use among college students has become increasingly prevalent, with coping being one of the primary motives for use. Imposter syndrome, characterized by persistent self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of competence, is particularly common among students. Imposter syndrome was related to coping-motivated cannabis use and related problems in a presumably predominantly White sample at a predominantly White institution (PWI). However, Black students at PWIs may be especially impacted by imposter syndrome, yet no known studies have tested whether these students experience greater imposter syndrome than White students or whether the relations of imposter syndrome with cannabis outcomes generalize to Black students. The current sample included 215 participants (48.4% Black) who endorsed past three-month cannabis use. Contrary to hypotheses, White students reported higher levels of imposter syndrome. Black students reported greater cannabis use to manage negative affect and racism. Among both groups, imposter syndrome was positively associated with coping-motivated cannabis use (coping-negative affect, coping-social anxiety), and racism, but not cannabis use frequency. Among White students, imposter syndrome was related to cannabis-related problems, but among Black students, it was related to cannabis use to cope with social anxiety and racism. Findings from this research could inform culturally responsive prevention and treatment efforts for Black students at PWIs who use cannabis.