Abstract
Background: Impostor phenomenon is an internal experience in successful individuals who realize that their achievements are unintended, although their successes can be proven by objective evidence. The study of impostor phenomenon among medical students remains largely unexplored in Thailand, especially during the transitional period from traditional medical training to online training due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of impostor phenomenon, mental health and the coping strategies as well as to examine the factors related to impostor phenomenon among Thai medical students.
Methods: Two hundred and seventy-two subjects completed online questionnaires enquiring about sociodemographic characteristics and perception of social expectations in the role of a medical student as well as the Impostor Phenomenon Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Coping Scale.
Results: The prevalence of impostor phenomenon among the surveyed medical students was 46.0%, while the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 14.1% and 5.2%, respectively. The subjects primarily employed confrontive coping strategies. The statistically significant predictors for impostor phenomenon were palliative coping strategy ( = 4.478, P < 0.001), self-esteem ( = - 1.038, P < 0.001), anxiety ( = 0.278, P = 0.004) and perception of social expectations in the role of a medical student ( = 0.032, P = 0.006).
Conclusion: This information regarding the association between the impostor phenomenon, anxiety, self-esteem, coping strategies, and perception of social expectations in the role of a medical student may be beneficial for promoting better coping strategies and self-esteem as well as solving the impostor phenomenon problem among medical students.
DOI
10.56808/2673-060X.5435
Recommended Citation
Buathong, Napakhawarat
(2024)
"Impostor phenomenon, mental health status and coping strategies among medical students in Southern Thailand,"
Chulalongkorn Medical Journal: Vol. 67:
Iss.
1, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/2673-060X.5435
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/clmjournal/vol67/iss1/7