Imposter Syndrome Research Articles

Perfectionism in the anesthesiological environment

BackgroundPerfectionism today is understood as an individual's psychological conviction that the ideal can and should be achieved, and the imperfect result of work (physical, intellectual, etc.), in their opinion, has no right to exist.The purpose of the studyOur goal was to investigate levels and types of perfectionism among anesthesiology interns in comparison with the indicators of practicing anesthesiologists.Materials and methodsAn anonymous survey of 92 anesthesiology interns and 124 practicing anesthesiologists was conducted according to the Big-Three Perfectionism Scale (BTPS).ResultsThe mean general level of perfectionism was average, with the total BTPS score of 124,38 ± 14,47 out of 225 in interns and 105,97 ± 10,31 in practicing anesthesiologists (p < 0,05). Both interns and practicing doctors leaned toward rigid perfectionism (mean score 32,32 ± 3,32 out of 50 in interns and 33,33 ± 3,23—in practicing doctors, p < 0,05) and self-critical perfectionism, with the average score of 52,08 ± 4,37 out of 90 in interns and 42,87 ± 4,76 in postgraduates (p < 0,05). Narcissistic perfectionism is the factor with the least relative score in both groups (39,99 ± 7,61 out of 85 in interns and 29,77 ± 4,20 in practicing doctors, p < 0,05).ConclusionsNeither anesthesiology interns nor practicing anesthesiologists in general exhibited high levels of perfectionism. In both groups there was a moderate leaning towards rigid and self-critical perfectionism, which indicates a tendency for the individuals to set high standards for themselves and base their own self-worth on meeting these standards. In interns, the general perfectionism levels were significantly higher than in practicing doctors. Also the self-critical type was more prominent among interns. This might indicate a sense of pressure to meet unrealistic outside expectations and an impostor syndrome which is common for the people at the start of their careers, but it’s also a significant risk factor for future burnout.

Why is imposter syndrome so common among nurses?

Why is imposter syndrome so common among nurses?

Evaluation of Academic and Nonacademic Factors of First-Generation Students Transitioning to a Pharmacy Program

ObjectiveTo evaluate the academic transition of first-generation (FG) students to a Doctor of Pharmacy program and the impact of early intervention/outreach. MethodsThe retrospective study evaluated the first semester performance in three classes of student pharmacists (beginning fall 2020, 2021, 2022) at a public university in the mid-South. Student demographics (age, sex, race, relationship status), nonacademic factors (Grit, impostor syndrome, testing anxiety, perceived stress), and academic factors (grade point average, academic probation, early intervention) were assessed. In fall 2022, a required academic meeting was added to the early intervention process after exam one for high-risk students. The data between FG and non-FG students were compared; Mann-Whitney tests for continuous variables and Chi-square tests with risk estimates for categorical variables. ResultsThere were 152 FG and 274 non-FG students identified over the three classes. A total of 88 (57.9%) FG students represented racial minority groups. More FG students and non-White students were identified for early intervention. First-generation students were more likely to receive two or more grades less than C- and less likely to progress to the spring. No significance was noted with generational status and undergraduate grade point average, academic performance, or nonacademic factors. The required meeting after exam one in fall 2022 resulted in less disparity between FG and non-FG students identified for early intervention for exam two. ConclusionFirst-generation and non-White students were more likely to struggle when transitioning to the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. A proactive, individualized approach incorporated into early intervention procedures is needed to promote academic success and belonging.

Does LinkedIn cause imposter syndrome? An empirical examination of well‐being and consumption‐related effects

AbstractWe attend to the unexamined intersection between professional social network site (SNS) usage and imposter syndrome. Specifically, we provide the first examination of: do such sites cause imposter thoughts (“others think I am more competent than I think I am”); if so, why and when this happens, and what effect this has on well‐being and consumption‐related results. Supported by objective self‐focused attention theory and two online experiments, we show that professional SNS usage heightens professional self‐focused attention, triggering imposter thoughts. This results in negative emotions and consumption‐related effects. We further examine two boundary conditions, showing that effects are reduced for individuals high in narcissism or work centrality. From these findings, we extend the sociocognitive theorization of the imposter phenomenon by uncovering, first, context‐specific self‐focused attention as the reason “why” people feel imposter‐ish in particular circumstances and second, consumption‐related consequences. We further contribute imposter thoughts as a new alternative explanation for negative emotions experienced whilst using professional SNSs.

Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Emergence of Creative Displacement Anxiety

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), a subset of AI that can generate novel content such as images, text, and music, has the unique transformative potential of augmenting human creativity, offering tools that can enhance creative expression and open unprecedented avenues for innovation. However, alongside its remarkable capabilities, the inevitable pervasive integration of this technology in every aspect of human life, including creative fields, involves the risk of giving rise to unforeseen psychological challenges for our society. This article discusses the potential emergence of a novel psychological phenomenon consisting in the multifaceted response to the perceived overshadowing of human creativity by AI-driven tools. Specifically, the article introduces the term “Creative Displacement Anxiety” (CDA), describe its foundation, and discuss its relationships with established psychological and psychosocial models, theories, constructs, and diagnoses such as technostress, impostor syndrome, cognitive dissonance, and economic anxiety. The article conceptualizes and elucidates the potential root causes, symptoms, and implications of CDA. Additionally, it discusses how some of the possible negative mental health outcomes could potentially be mitigated. Our work emphasizes the need for interventions that raise awareness on generative AI, support individuals in accepting and incorporating AI as a creative tool and companion and helps them navigate this new landscape. Finally, by offering a view of the interplay between AI advancements and the human creative psyche, our research aims at fostering the discussion around embracing the positive contribution of generative AI to our society.

The reflections of a health-practitioner on entering academia

This personal and experiential account reflects on the transition the author has made from working as a midwife and health visitor to becoming a clinical academic within a university setting. This was a shift between a profession with a very clear sense of itself and one where there are a large number of spoken and unspoken issues - of status, professionalism, class, gender, to name a few. These can reinforce a sense of imposter syndrome among people whose trajectories into academia have not been traditional and unilinear. A commonly-shared difficulty in internalising academic success, reinforced by dominant ideas about what academics are/should be like, is embedded in the institutional discourses that circulate in academic environments, particularly for working-class academics. 'First in family' students are much less likely to attend a Russell Group university, and are also more likely to drop out; and this filter means that many fewer become academics. Certain subjects are also perceived as being of higher value; for example English Literature is held in higher esteem than a vocational course such as nursing. Indeed, this notion of being 'lesser than' also applies to higher education institutions: the author's place of work, Birmingham City University, with its roots in a former polytechnic, is supposedly inferior to its geographical neighbour, the University of Birmingham. In reflecting on the current neoliberal landscape in HE, the author argues that a recognition of the equal value of vocational courses is urgently required - for students, for academics, and for the future of the whole sector. There is also discussion of the usefulness of the pedagogy of vocational training for other areas of teaching. The article includes an exploration of some of the wider problems in the current neoliberal higher education landscape. It also discusses another, more particular, source for a personal sense of dissonance for HE academics in this field. The narrative from the university is that students are customers: they pay considerable fees to complete the course and should leave with a degree and a professional qualification. Academic regulations are skewed towards delivering a commodity to the students, sometimes to the detriment of what is surely the key priority - to ensure that future practitioners are qualified, and possess the skills and attributes necessary to deliver safe, patient-centred care.

Exploring the experiences of Canadian medical students with a background in the arts and humanities.

Arts and Humanities (A/H) training is a powerful strategy to help medical students develop key competencies which align with the CanMEDS roles that Canadian physicians are expected to embody. Students with backgrounds in A/H may enter medical school with the skills and dispositions that A/H training provides. This paper explores the varied experiences of medical students with prior A/H backgrounds, with an emphasis on how they navigate relationships with their student cohorts and participate in undergraduate medical training environments. Descriptive qualitative research methodology was used to conduct and analyze semi-structured interviews exploring the perspectives of Canadian medical students with either a A/H degree or training in A/H (n = 13). Domains such as identity, integration of interests, and challenges in maintaining A/H interests during medical training were explored. Participants described their A/H identity as intertwined with their identity as medical trainees and described their sense of interconnection between the disciplines. Challenges included imposter syndrome and difficulties in relating with peers from science backgrounds. Participants described returning to their A/H interests as a tool for wellness amidst medical training. Medical students with a background in A/H training describe this background as offering both affordances and challenges for their sense of identity, belonging, and wellness. These students offer an untapped resource: they come with dispositions of value to medicine, and they perceive a positive, hidden A/H curriculum that supports their maintenance of these dispositions during training. Understanding more about these hidden treasures could help foster the development of well-rounded and humanistic physicians in the entire medical class.

How to deal with imposter syndrome

How to deal with imposter syndrome

Online Well-Being Group Coaching Program for Women Physician Trainees

Physician burnout disproportionately affects women physicians and begins in training. Professional coaching may improve well-being, but generalizable evidence is lacking. To assess the generalizability of a coaching program (Better Together Physician Coaching) in a national sample of women physician trainees. A randomized clinical trial involving trainees in 26 graduate medical education institutions in 19 states was conducted between September 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Eligible participants included physician trainees at included sites who self-identified as a woman (ie, self-reported their gender identity as woman, including those who reported woman if multiple genders were reported). A 4-month, web-based, group coaching program. The primary outcomes were change in burnout (measured using subscales for emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal achievement from the Maslach Burnout Inventory). Secondary outcomes included changes in impostor syndrome, moral injury, self-compassion, and flourishing, which were assessed using standardized measures. A linear mixed model analysis was performed on an intent-to-treat basis. A sensitivity analysis was performed to account for the missing outcomes. Among the 1017 women trainees in the study (mean [SD] age, 30.8 [4.0] years; 540 White participants [53.1%]; 186 surgical trainees [18.6%]), 502 were randomized to the intervention group and 515 were randomized to the control group. Emotional exhaustion decreased by an estimated mean (SE) -3.81 (0.73) points in the intervention group compared with a mean (SE) increase of 0.32 (0.57) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], -4.13 [0.92] points; 95% CI, -5.94 to -2.32 points; P < .001). Depersonalization decreased by a mean (SE) of -1.66 (0.42) points in the intervention group compared with a mean (SE) increase of 0.20 (0.32) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], -1.87 [0.53] points; 95%CI, -2.91 to -0.82 points; P < .001). Impostor syndrome decreased by a mean (SE) of -1.43 (0.14) points in the intervention group compared with -0.15 (0.11) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], -1.28 (0.18) points; 95% CI -1.63 to -0.93 points; P < .001). Moral injury decreased by a mean (SE) of -5.60 (0.92) points in the intervention group compared with -0.92 (0.71) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], -4.68 [1.16] points; 95% CI, -6.95 to -2.41 points; P < .001). Self-compassion increased by a mean (SE) of 5.27 (0.47) points in the intervention group and by 1.36 (0.36) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], 3.91 [0.60] points; 95% CI, 2.73 to 5.08 points; P < .001). Flourishing improved by a mean (SE) of 0.48 (0.09) points in the intervention group vs 0.09 (0.07) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], 0.38 [0.11] points; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.60 points; P < .001). The sensitivity analysis found similar findings. The findings of this randomized clinical trial suggest that web-based professional group-coaching can improve outcomes of well-being and mitigate symptoms of burnout for women physician trainees. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05222685.

Beating imposter syndrome takes mutual support and respect

Beating imposter syndrome takes mutual support and respect

“I’m my own biggest critic”: an autoethnographic reflection on an early-career researcher’s first year as a lecturer in law

ABSTRACT Embedding my discussions in the wider literature around the neoliberal university and adopting an autoethnographic approach (the keeping of a diary), I explore the thoughts and feelings that I have had over my first year of teaching and researching in my first permanent lectureship, post-PhD during the midst of a global pandemic and where strike action is evidently present. Using an inductive thematic analysis, I highlight three recurring themes: (1) anxiety; (2) imposter syndrome; and (3) catastrophising – all of which are heavily interlinked and evidently present across the neoliberal higher education system. I use these themes to highlight how this has affected my own understanding of what it’s like to work in academia as a lecturer in law and in turn, how this has affected my feelings towards my job and more importantly, towards my teaching and research – aspects of my job which commonly come into conflict with each other. The final parts of this article put forward suggestions on what early-career researchers can do to tackle their own insecurities and what individuals in the academy can also do to better support colleagues to create a form of collectiveness within the modern law school.

IMPOSTORS AMONG FAMILY DOCTORS

Introduction. Human resources policy issues in medicine have always played a significant role in ensuring quality medical care for the population. Young specialists face high labor market demands and constant management pressure, without having ready adaptation strategies. The beginning of a success story is always challenging, and sometimes the impostor syndrome can have its influence. Persistent self-doubt leads to emotional exhaustion and the development of a cynical attitude towards others, which can further transform into burnout syndrome.&#x0D; THE AIM: To analyze the prevalence of the impostor phenomenon among young doctors in the field of “General Practice – Family Medicine” and explore potential correlations with burnout syndrome.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS. We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey of 27 young family doctors using The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel. The research procedure adhered to accepted moral norms, rights, interests, and personal dignity of the participants, in line with the principles of bioethics outlined in the Helsinki Declaration “Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects” and the “Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (UNESCO)”.&#x0D; RESULTS. All respondents demonstrated a certain level of impostor syndrome severity, which might be related to a shift in professional role – the transition from intern to independent practitioner – a family doctor. Every fourth intern already showed signs of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, with 7% having developed burnout syndrome. It is not excluded that these changes are linked to working conditions and military actions on the territory of Ukraine.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS. Nearly half of the respondents were categorized under intermediate burnout syndrome profiles (Overloaded, Ineffective, Detached), which can be corrected with timely identification and effective management. Without exception, all respondents exhibited various degrees of the impostor phenomenon. The impostor syndrome is closely related to emotional exhaustion (p=0.002) and depersonalization (p=0.000214) within the structure of burnout syndrome, allowing for the development of new correction approaches and optimization of burnout prevention strategies.

The Effects of Athletes’ Imposter Syndrome Tendency on Achievement Goal Orientation and Regulatory Focus

PURPOSE This study aimed to verify the influence of imposter syndrome tendencies in athletes on their achievement goal orientation, and regulatory focus.METHODS Data collected from 413 athletes through surveys were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0 and AMOS version 21.0 to assess reliability and validity, conduct independent sample t-tests, perform correlation analysis, and conduct multiple regression analyses.RESULTS The findings revealed significant sex-based differences in imposter syndrome tendencies, achievement goal orientation, and regulatory focus. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between sub-factors of imposter syndrome, achievement goal orientation, and regulatory focus. Imposter syndrome tendencies had varying effects on achievement goal orientation, with the discount factor significantly influencing approach orientation, the fake factor significantly affecting avoidance orientation, and fear factors significantly impacting self-avoidance. Additionally, imposter syndrome tendencies influenced regulatory focus, as the discount factor significantly affected both promotion focus and prevention focus, while fake and fear factors significantly influenced prevention focus.CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the importance of athletes' imposter syndrome tendencies as significant contributors to psychological variables related to motivation, including achievement goal orientation and regulatory focus.

Professional Identity for Nursing Students: Development and Enhancement in the Academy

Establishing a professional identity in nursing school proves challenging as imposter syndrome comes into the equation. There are defining moments when students feel like a “real nurse”, unique and individualized to the scholars. Incorporating nursing core values through interaction with cohort members, patients during clinical rotations and faculty contribute to students formulating nursing students’ professional identity (Pullen, 2021). Nursing faculty play an integral role in supporting students’ journey defining identity, academic success, and program completion. Developing professional identity in nursing school requires the examination of personal values, integrity, and experience attributed to formulating personal and professional identities.

Investigating Impostorism Among Undergraduate Medical Students at Sultan Qaboos University: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

Background Imposter syndrome or phenomenon(IP) is a behavioral phenomenon observed insuccessful individuals where they fail to recognize and internalizetheir achievements. It is often accompanied by feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and worries of being exposed as frauds, with the impostors often attributing their achievementsto external factors like good luck and timing. The presence of IP among medical students is gaining more attention, with studies reporting a strong association with burnout phenomenon, anxiety, and depression. Objectives This study sought to determine the prevalence of IP among Omani medical students and classify the levels of severity among the sample. Methodology This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted at a public university in Muscat, Oman. The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), a validated publicly available questionnaire, was used to determine whether students exhibited impostorism. Students who scored 63 or higher in the CIPS were classified as impostors. In addition, students were also classified based on the severity of their impostorism. As per the CIPS, scores between 41 and 60 indicate mild impostorism, scores between 61 and 80 indicate moderate impostorism, and finally scores between 81 and 100 indicate severe impostorism. Results A totalof 276 students participated (M 34%, F 66%), of which 144 (52.2%) were found to have IP with 12.7% exhibiting severe impostorism. Conclusion The results show that IP is present in significant frequencies among medical students; further studies are needed to address this problem.

Barriers and Challenges Experienced by Latina Nurse Leaders.

Introduction: Leadership reflecting and representing the diversity of the workforce and patient population has been an ongoing challenge for healthcare institutions. As hospitals strategically plan to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion within their intuitions, especially in executive and other leadership roles, it must be acknowledged that only about 5.3% of the nursing workforce is Latinx and few serve in leadership positions. This study aims to learn about the barriers and challenges Latina nurse leaders have experienced in their ascension into leadership roles. Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive study approach, Latina nurse leaders were interviewed one-on-one about their nursing journey and the challenges experienced. A conventional thematic content analysis approach was used to identify common themes. Results: Seventeen Latina nurse leaders shared their experiences. The themes that emerged included: imposter syndrome being the only one, the need to work harder to be seen, age discrimination, racism and racial discrimination, lack of mentorship, and motherhood. Conclusion: Findings from this study help to highlight barriers to leadership development and success of Latina nurses. The findings can be used to encourage, mentor, and support Latina nurses throughout their careers, so they are provided with opportunities for advancement and nurtured as they become leaders.

Are women residents of surgical specialties at a higher risk of developing imposter syndrome?

BackgroundImposter syndrome is a chronic feeling of doubt leading to a sense of incompetence, which is common among trainees. However, little is known about the effect of gender on imposter syndrome among surgical trainees. MethodsAn online national survey was distributed to the surgical subspecialty residents between March and September 2022, including demographics, validated Clance Imposter Scale and a short questionnaire evaluating depression and anxiety. ResultsOf the participants self identified as women (264, 69.1%) and men (118, 30.9%) (response rate 36.4%), the prevalence of imposterism was higher among women trainees (97% vs. 86%; p ​< ​0.0001). Risk factors were being a gynecologist (156, 59%, p ​< ​0.0001), single (157, 59.7% p ​= ​0.007), having no dependents (233, 88.3% p ​= ​0.001), being a foreign graduate (24, 9.1%, p ​= ​0.024) and having feelings of anxiety (82, 31.1% p ​= ​0.012). When using multivariate logistic regression to adjust for these factors, the prevalence of imposter syndrome remained significantly higher among women. ConclusionWomen trainees belonging to various surgical fields are affected by Imposter syndrome. Residency programs should develop wellness programs and provide mentorship to address this condition.

The prevalence of imposter syndrome and associated factors in Chinese medical students and residents: A single-center pilot study

Purpose Here we aimed to define the prevalence of imposter syndrome (IS) and identify associated characteristics in Chinese medical students and residents enrolled at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Methods This was a single-center, cross-sectional study of medical students and residents enrolled at PUMCH conducted in September and October 2022. Participants were recruited to complete a 37-question survey on demographics, a Chinese version of the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and self-assessments of anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep quality, challenges of clinical learning, and time allocation. IS prevalence and its associated factors were analyzed. Results One hundred and forty-eight medical students and 89 residents completed the survey. IS was significant or severe in 62.8% of medical students and 57.2% of residents. Students enrolled in the eight-year program had significantly higher CIPS scores than those enrolled in the 4 + 4 program (66.4 vs. 60.7, p = .005). There were no gender differences in IS prevalence and severity. Participants with severe IS had significantly higher self-rated anxiety, depression, insomnia, and burnout than participants with mild/moderate IS. Participants significantly challenged by clinical learning had significantly higher CIPS scores. Conclusions IS is both prevalent and severe in Chinese medical students and residents. Classroom learning, an eight-year program, and being challenged by clinical learning are potentially associated with IS.

Women Leaders: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in Higher Education in Kazakhstan

While impostor syndrome has attracted considerable scholarly interest in the Global North, in the context of Kazakhstan, it was mainly discussed on popular social outlets. This paper explores whether female leaders in higher education in Kazakhstan have experienced impostor feelings and if so, how -if at all- they overcame it. To explore it, a narrative approach was used to interview ten female leaders working in universities of Kazakhstan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the participants’ experience. This first study on Imposter Syndrome in Kazakhstan shows that almost all women leaders face these problems. Based on their experience of impostor syndrome, the participants provided recommendations to help cope with it.

Determinan Pemilihan Karier dalam Bidang Akuntansi Pemerintahan: Studi Empiris Mahasiswa Akuntansi di Padang

The objective of this research was to examine the direct effect and indirect effect of the independent variables (influence of the third parties, anticipated conflict, and impostor syndrome) on the dependent variable (career selection in government accounting) through the intervening/mediating variable (career self-efficacy). The novelty of this research is combining SCCT and TPB by taking one component of those theories. To determine the sample, this research uses proportionate stratified random sampling. The respondents in this research were undergraduate accounting students force of 2018 to 2019 which is in 4 universities in Padang City (UNP, UNAND, UBH, and UPI) as many as 75 respondents. The data collection method used is a self-administered survey. The data in this research were analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS). The research findings indicated that the influence of the third parties has a positive significant effect on career selection in government accounting. The anticipated conflict has a negative significant effect on career selection in government accounting. Impostor syndrome has no significant effect on career selection in government accounting. Meanwhile, the influence of the third parties, anticipated conflict, and impostor syndrome mediated by career-self efficacy have no significant effect on career selection in government accounting.