Imposter Phenomenon in Allied Health Students: A Mixed-Methods Study Using Questionnaire and Qualitative Analysis.

Abstract

Introduction: Imposter phenomenon (IP) occurs when high-achieving individuals have self-doubt combined with fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite successes.

Purpose: This study explored the prevalence of IP in allied health students and their level of confidence in professional and academic development.

Method: Mixed methods were utilized to explore allied health students' confidence in their academic achievements. The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) was distributed with open-ended questions. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic open-coding approach.

Results: Survey respondents who completed the quantitative and qualitative sections of the survey (n=141) were predominantly female (92%) and White (74%). All participants reported experiencing IP; most reported frequent (41%) or intense (22%) IP characteristics. Two themes were derived from qualitative data, which were alienation and self-awareness. The theme of alienation captured participants' experiences of peer competition alongside disclosures of mental health challenges. The theme of self-awareness emerged through participants' descriptions of how they managed emotional experiences, including internalizing or minimizing feelings, seeking support through conversations with others, or, at times, not engaging in coping efforts.

Discussion: Allied health programs maintain strict academic standards, which may contribute to students' IP. More research on IP is warranted in these students to determine its prevalence in other groups. Access to campus emotional support resources should be made available to students and professional mentorship programs may help to alleviate IP.