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Exploring Imposter Syndrome in Graduate Allied Health Students: A Pilot Study

  • 0Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, 65 Bergen St Newark, NJ 07107, USA. Tel 914-419-1050. abc148@shp.rutgers.edu.
Journal of allied health +

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June 10, 2025

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Imposter syndrome (IS) is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals are overcome by perceptions of inadequacy and self-doubt despite one's qualifications. Evidence demonstrates increasing IS in health professions students.

PURPOSE

To investigate the degree of IS in graduate allied health students and explore contributing factors.

METHODS

103 physical and occupational therapy and speech-language pathology students completed an online IS survey.

RESULTS

The median CIPS score was 68.0, indicating frequent IS symptoms. There was a statistically significant difference in CIPS score for gender with higher scores in females p=0.026.

DISCUSSION

Frequent IS is reported by graduate allied health students with female gender playing a role in severity. Earlier identification of IS is warranted to mitigate its impact on graduate students.

Keywords:

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