Imposter Syndrome refers to a collection of emotions characterized by feelings of inadequacy and is accompanied by psychological symptoms such as persistent anxiety, low self-esteem, internal conflict between feelings of inferiority and superiority, negative self-perception, and fear of being exposed (1). Resilience is defined as the process of possessing the ability to adapt successfully and the outcomes achieved despite facing challenging and threatening circumstances (2). It encompasses more than just overcoming anxiety; it also encompasses a heightened capacity to recover from traumatic experiences (3).
Undergraduate nursing and medical students enthusiastically pursue their goals throughout their college years, striving to become competent health workers. The university supports these endeavors in a consistent and sincere manner. As they progress, these students grow confidence in their skills and develop the ability to cope with crises. Utilizing opportunities, they celebrate achievements with pride supported by their surroundings (4).
The health field presents various stressful challenges. As a competitive field, students find it difficult to maintain a healthy mindset. Like other undergraduates, these individuals aim to excel and succeed; however, during times of high stress, coping and resilience become challenging. Imposter syndrome is common and may not feel as confident as it appears on the outside. They may struggle to acknowledge their accomplishments and attribute them to luck rather than to their abilities. Constant competition among peers can contribute to these negative thoughts, making it difficult for them to shake off their self-doubt (5).
Imposter syndrome, also known as the imposter phenomenon (I.P), affects high-achieving individuals and leads them to perceive themselves as less intelligent than others perceive them to be, despite having identifiable accomplishments (6). Those experiencing I.P create various ways to undermine evidence contradicting their belief that they are not as smart as others think they are (6). They feel compelled to find alternative explanations for their achievements, attributing their success to factors other than their own competence, even so far as to convince themselves that they have deceived anyone who sees them as capable (6).
Individuals with imposter syndrome have a persistent feeling of not belonging, being overvalued, and a fear of being exposed to fraud. As a result, they work tirelessly, which only intensifies their imposter phenomenon and creates a vicious cycle. Clance and Imes (6) found that repeated successes alone did not stop this pattern. Despite their achievements, they feel a sense of emptiness, and the positive feelings are short-lived because the core belief of fraud remains unchanged.
Clance and Imes (6) observed that the imposter syndrome is influenced by familial relationships, social pressures, and stereotypes, leading to a strong desire to please others. These individuals exert tremendous efforts to achieve success and prove to others and themselves that they are intelligent and deserving of their accomplishments (6). However, they experience a profound sense of disappointment when they fall short of their self-imposed, extremely high expectations and aspirations (1).
Resilience expresses a person’s capability to transform hardships and difficult experiences into educational ones (7). Nursing students try to navigate their way through their college years while struggling with a lack of will to care because of academic difficulties and the emotional and physical exhaustion of their day-to-day life of nursing major (5). Furthermore, medical students' resilience helps them decrease the physical commands they need due to the stress of training, which lowers the quality of their professional lives (8). According to Maqsood et al. (9), medical students feel burdened by their accomplishments and undeserving of applause. Yıldırım and Çelik Tanrıverdi (10) found a noticeable positive relationship between resilience acquired from social support and fulfillment and quality of life. On the other hand, Safaryazdi. (11) indicated in their findings that imposters have a strong desire for self-criticizing and want, and Kleitman (1) showed that extreme support from parents, along with a lack of care and intimacy in the family, are the best predictors of the imposter.
Managing feelings of the impostor phenomenon is important and increasingly recognized, particularly in the medical field, because it has been linked to mental health problems such as depression and the three domains of burnout (4), decreased self-esteem (12), approval-seeking and perfectionism (13), and anxiety (14), although Alrayyes et al. (4) did not find it to be associated with IP. Imposter phenomena have been studied in relation to several sociodemographic characteristics such as gender. Some studies suggest that it is significantly higher among females than males (4) (15); a few show the opposite (16) (9), whereas others report no significance among genders (17) (12).
Recent studies have demonstrated the significance of this phenomenon by showing troubling results. A study conducted in Saudi Arabia identified that 57.8% of young adults in the Kingdom had IP (4). A study in the United States reported that 97% of medical students experienced moderate-to-intense feelings of imposter syndrome, in which 38.4% had moderate imposter syndrome (IS), 49.6% had frequent IS, and 8.8% experienced intense IS (17). Another recent study in Canada revealed that approximately 75% of undergraduate students have IP (15). It is poorly understood How IP may impact students’ professional aims (17).
An increase in the prevalence of imposter phenomena and the importance of resilience in an individual’s mental health are clearly observed. Therefore, given the scarcity of current research and since very few studies have been conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study conducted among nursing students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. We believe that there is a need to estimate the prevalence of imposter phenomena in nursing and medical students and the impact of resilience on imposter phenomena. Furthermore, the study assessed the prevalence of imposter phenomena and resiliency among undergraduate nursing and medical students, compared the total scores of resiliencies and imposter syndrome among nursing and medical students, examined the association between resiliency scores and imposter phenomena, and found a correlation between resiliency, imposter syndrome, and the sociodemographic background of nursing and medical students.
Theoretical framework
The relationship between resilience and impostor syndrome among undergraduate nursing and medical students can be explained using Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (18). This theory emphasizes the interaction between personal factors, environmental influences, and behavioral outcomes. Resilience, which refers to an individual's ability to cope with stress and bounce back from adversity (18), is influenced by personal factors such as self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-efficacy (19). Higher resilience fosters positive traits like adaptability, perseverance, and self-assurance, which may counteract the development of impostor syndrome (20). On the other hand, impostor syndrome, characterized by feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt (6), may be influenced by negative traits like perfectionism and fear of failure (20).
Moreover, the relationship between resilience and impostor syndrome among nursing and medical students can be understood through Lazarus and Folkman's transactional model of stress and coping (21). Resilient individuals with effective coping strategies, such as problem-solving skills, social support, and positive thinking, are better equipped to manage stress (22). This may serve as a protective factor against impostor syndrome. On the other hand, individuals experiencing impostor syndrome may rely on maladaptive coping mechanisms, perpetuating their feelings of inadequacy (20).
Additionally, the academic environment also plays a crucial role in shaping students' experiences and psychological well-being. High academic demands and competitive learning environments can contribute to the development of impostor syndrome (23). Conversely, a supportive academic environment that fosters resilience through mentorship and constructive feedback can positively influence students' self-perception (19). Mediating factors, including self-reflection, coping strategies, social support, and academic self-concept, can further influence the relationship between resilience and impostor syndrome among nursing and medical students (22). Understanding these complex interactions is essential in the context of nursing and medical education.
Research Questions
The main research question in this study was: What is the association between resilience and the impostor syndrome among undergraduate nursing and medical students?
Sub-Research Questions:
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What are the levels of resilience among undergraduate nursing and medical students?
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What are the levels of impostor syndrome experienced by undergraduate nursing and medical students?
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Is there a significant correlation between resilience levels and impostor syndrome scores among undergraduate nursing and medical students?
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How does participants’ demographic backgrounds relate to the impostor syndrome among undergraduate nursing and medical students?
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Are there differences in resilience and impostor syndrome experiences between nursing and medical students?
Significance of the study:
This study is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it addresses an important issue within the context of healthcare education. Nursing and medical students often face high levels of stress, rigorous academic demands, and intense professional expectations (23). Understanding the relationship between resilience and impostor syndrome in this specific population is crucial as it can shed light on the psychological well-being and self-perception of future healthcare professionals. Secondly, the study contributes to the existing literature on resilience and impostor syndrome. While previous research has explored these constructs individually, there is a need to understand how they are interconnected and how they manifest in the unique context of nursing and medical education. By investigating the relationship between resilience and impostor syndrome, this study can provide insights into potential factors that may protect against or contribute to impostor syndrome among students pursuing healthcare careers (19) (20).
Furthermore, the findings of this study can have practical implications for educational institutions and healthcare professionals involved in the training and support of nursing and medical students. Understanding the factors that promote resilience and mitigate impostor syndrome can inform the development of targeted interventions, support programs, and mentorship initiatives that foster students' well-being, self-confidence, and professional growth (23) (21). This study can contribute to creating a more supportive academic environment that nurtures students' resilience and helps them navigate the challenges they face during their education and future careers.