Do I Belong? A Multivariable Analysis of Impostor Syndrome and Associated Factors in Female Physician Trainees

Impostor syndrome also known as impostor phenomenon is characterized by feelings of inadequacy and a fear of exposure as a fraud despite evidence of success. While the impostor syndrome has been well described, limited data exist on associated factors or intervention strategies.

To examine the prevalence and elucidate factors associated with impostor syndrome in a national sample of female physician trainees.

Cross-sectional study.

A total of 1017 female trainees who volunteered to participate in a professional coaching program across 26 GME training programs in September 2022.

A baseline survey was administered to the participants. Subgroup analyses were run for the Young Impostor Syndrome (YIS) Scale that included a univariate analysis on YIS and demographic factors. Multivariable analyses were also run on YIS (binary) with other well-being factors including burnout, self-compassion, flourishing, and moral injury.

Of the 1017 trainees enrolled in the program, 77.1% (784) completed the YIS instrument. Of those, 76.3% (598) were positive for impostor syndrome (YIS score ≥ 5). A multivariate analysis showed a strong inverse association between YIS score and Self Compassion Scale-Short Form (odds ratio [OR] = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86-0.92), but a lack of relationship between the YIS score and other scale measures except for a positive association between the YIS score and the subcategory of burnout-related depersonalization (OR = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.01-2.23). There were also positive associations between YIS score and race, with Black (OR = 3.56; 95% CI, 1.21-13.02), and Asian (OR = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.03-2.87).

The study found a significant inverse relationship between self-compassion and impostor syndrome. Further research needs to be done to understand if developing and enhancing self-compassion may effectively mitigate impostor syndrome.