Mapping the evolution of the impostor phenomenon research: A bibliometric analysis

• Published in: Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) N.J.), 2023-12, Vol.42 (36), p.32097-32109
• Main Authors: Stone-Sabali, Steven, Bernard, Donte L., Mills, Kristen J., Osborn, Preston R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Bibliometrics; Forecasts and trends; Impostor phenomenon; Mental health; Minority & ethnic groups; Psychological research; Psychology; Science; Social Sciences; Success; Trends
• ISSN: 1046-1310; 1936-4733
• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04201-9

The impostor phenomenon was introduced over four decades ago and has become an increasingly popular research topic. Nonetheless, few empirical investigations offer a quantitative analysis of the patterns and structures within the impostor phenomenon’s literature base. This limits researchers to an incomplete and reactive understanding of the scope and trajectory of research about the impostor phenomenon. The current investigation utilized bibliometric analyses (e.g., science mapping and performance analysis) to illuminate prominent contributors and the latent themes within the impostor phenomenon literature. The findings identified important characteristics of the impostor phenomenon literature, such as the most dominant or published authors, frequently cited articles, its global existence across countries, and its rapidly increasing rate of published articles. The findings also illuminated research streams within the impostor phenomenon literature and identified the emerging trend of examining the impostor phenomenon within the STEM context. Implications for future impostor phenomenon research and scholarship are discussed.