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Understanding Causal Conditions Contributing to Imposter Syndrome in Postgraduate Students
Parisa Doostani1 , Parisa Nilforooshan *2 , Azam Naghavi3
1- University of Isfahan, Iran
2- University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran , p.nilforooshan@edu.ui.ac.ir
3- University of Isfahan
Abstract:   (259 Views)
Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon that people with high academic and professional performance experience and is associated with feelings of incompetence, self-doubt, and fear of exposing their inadequacy. The current qualitative study of grounded theory and using the Strauss and Corbin method sought to investigate the influencing factors on the formation of imposter syndrome in postgraduate students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 postgraduate students who were selected through purposive sampling. The results included 75 primary codes in the open coding stage and 34 main categories in axial coding, and finally nine selective codes named competitiveness, independence, idealism, mirage of success, purposefulness, fearing of the future, curiosity, insufficient me, and immortality, all of which are components of inflated agency. The results of the present study indicated that students with imposter syndrome are so immersed in the second layer of self as a motivated agent that they do not find room for further growth and reach what is called the self as an autobiographer. The results of this research can be used to design interventions to adjust and manage the influencing factors so that students can go beyond the level of agency and be the authors of their biographies.
Keywords: Imposter Syndrome, Postgraduate Students, Grounded Theory, Agency
     
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2024/06/9 | Revised: 2025/05/16 | Accepted: 2025/03/8 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/05/16
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