Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping review

IntroductionThe Impostor Phenomenon (IP) refers to a psychological experience characterized by unjustified feelings of intellectual and professional fraud, accompanied by the fear of not maintaining performance and of being exposed. IP is receiving increasing attention in the fields of psychological...

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Main Authors: Emma Para, Philippe Dubreuil, Paule Miquelon, Charles Martin-Krumm
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1360540/full
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author Emma Para
Philippe Dubreuil
Paule Miquelon
Charles Martin-Krumm
Charles Martin-Krumm
author_facet Emma Para
Philippe Dubreuil
Paule Miquelon
Charles Martin-Krumm
Charles Martin-Krumm
author_sort Emma Para
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe Impostor Phenomenon (IP) refers to a psychological experience characterized by unjustified feelings of intellectual and professional fraud, accompanied by the fear of not maintaining performance and of being exposed. IP is receiving increasing attention in the fields of psychological health at work and occupational psychology as well as among the general public, since it affects the functioning of both individuals and organizations. The aim of this scoping review is to map the range of interventions that have been conducted to address IP among individuals experiencing it in a professional context.MethodsThe search and selection process to identify relevant reports was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR methodology and JBI recommendations and resulted in the selection of 31 studies.ResultsThe results reported concerning the characteristics of the studies, the interventions described, and the effects identified are heterogeneous. More than half of the studies used research designs (experimental, pre-experimental, exploratory, etc.). Two major types of intervention emerge: training and counseling. The effectiveness of the interventions varies according to the evaluation methodology that was used, although most authors conclude that the proposed intervention is relevant.DiscussionIn light of these results, recognizing and educating individuals regarding the various manifestations of IP, as well as offering support in a group context, appear to be primary intervention levers. Future intervention proposals should explore psychosocial and educational influences as well as the impact of the immediate environment on IP-related beliefs.
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spelling doaj.art-903acfa577bd4bcc8d897027eb2a5f612024-03-28T05:04:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782024-03-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.13605401360540Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping reviewEmma Para0Philippe Dubreuil1Paule Miquelon2Charles Martin-Krumm3Charles Martin-Krumm4Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, CanadaDepartment of Human Resources Management, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, CanadaVulnérabilité, Capabilité et Rétablissement (VCR), Ecole de Psychologues Praticiens of Catholic University of Paris, Paris, FranceINSERM INSPIIRE UMR 1319, Lorraine University, Nancy, FranceIntroductionThe Impostor Phenomenon (IP) refers to a psychological experience characterized by unjustified feelings of intellectual and professional fraud, accompanied by the fear of not maintaining performance and of being exposed. IP is receiving increasing attention in the fields of psychological health at work and occupational psychology as well as among the general public, since it affects the functioning of both individuals and organizations. The aim of this scoping review is to map the range of interventions that have been conducted to address IP among individuals experiencing it in a professional context.MethodsThe search and selection process to identify relevant reports was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR methodology and JBI recommendations and resulted in the selection of 31 studies.ResultsThe results reported concerning the characteristics of the studies, the interventions described, and the effects identified are heterogeneous. More than half of the studies used research designs (experimental, pre-experimental, exploratory, etc.). Two major types of intervention emerge: training and counseling. The effectiveness of the interventions varies according to the evaluation methodology that was used, although most authors conclude that the proposed intervention is relevant.DiscussionIn light of these results, recognizing and educating individuals regarding the various manifestations of IP, as well as offering support in a group context, appear to be primary intervention levers. Future intervention proposals should explore psychosocial and educational influences as well as the impact of the immediate environment on IP-related beliefs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1360540/fullscoping reviewimpostor phenomenoninterventionsworkplaceadults
spellingShingle Emma Para
Philippe Dubreuil
Paule Miquelon
Charles Martin-Krumm
Charles Martin-Krumm
Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping review
Frontiers in Psychology
scoping review
impostor phenomenon
interventions
workplace
adults
title Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping review
title_full Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping review
title_fullStr Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping review
title_short Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping review
title_sort interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon a scoping review
topic scoping review
impostor phenomenon
interventions
workplace
adults
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1360540/full
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