Search

The Impostor Phenomenon (IP) is a person's experience of internalized fraudulence relative to their successes; this is characterized by a fear of being "found out" and judged by others as well as difficulties internalizing successes (Clance & Imes, 1978). Previous research has suggested that it is commonly experienced by professors and staff in postsecondary institutions and associated with a variety of negative outcomes related to career and mental health. As part of an online survey about IP, academic staff and professors were provided an open text box and asked to describe the causes, consequences, and experiences of impostor feelings in academic settings. Three overarching categories and eight subcategories were identified through inductive content analysis, including 1) triggers of impostor feelings (i.e., interpersonal interactions, situational influences), 2) qualities of the experience itself (i.e., negative external perceptions, negative self-perceptions, feelings of fraudulence, negative emotions) and 3) management of impostor feelings (i.e., effective strategies, ineffective strategies). Implications for addressing impostor feelings in academic staff and professors are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Alberta Journal of Educational Research is the property of Alberta Journal of Educational Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)