Impostor Phenomenon in Undergraduate and Doctor of Pharmacy Students at a Small Private University

• Published in: American journal of pharmaceutical education 2023-01, Vol.87 (1), p.ajpe8728-38, Article ajpe8728
• Main Authors: McWilliams, Dylan, Block, Mitchell, Hinson, Jessica, Kier, Karen L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Anxiety; Brief; Burnout; College campuses; Colleges & universities; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Dentistry; Depression (Psychology); Education, Pharmacy; Educational aspects; Educational research; Ethnicity; Females; Gender; Gender Discrimination; Graduate Students; Health Occupations; Humans; Impostor phenomenon; impostor syndrome; Longitudinal Studies; Majors (Students); Males; Medical education; Medical students; Nursing; Pandemics; Pharmacists; Pharmacology; Pharmacy; Physicians; Polls & surveys; Private Colleges; Private schools; Professional Identity; Professions; Students, Pharmacy; Study and teaching; Undergraduate Students; Universities; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 0002-9459; 1553-6467; 1553-6467
• DOI: 10.5688/ajpe8728

Objective. The purpose of the study was to observe the prevalence of impostor phenomenon among students attending Ohio Northern University and to assess secondary factors that impact the severity of this phenomenon. Methods. Using the validated Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale, the incidence of impostor phenomenon was assessed at Ohio Northern University. We hypothesized that students enrolled in the Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy would demonstrate more intense levels of impostor phenomenon than students enrolled in other majors within the university. Results. Of the approximately 3100 students at the university, 391 students (12.6%) completed the survey and qualified for the study. Students for this study were recruited via email. This method was used for two reasons; it was the best way to reach the entirety of the student body, and, at the time of the study, students were transitioning from campus to home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of a total possible score of 100, all colleges scored an average impostor phenomenon score between 68 and 75. These scores were interpreted as “frequently experiences impostor feelings.” No significant differences in scores were found by college, gender, ethnicity/race, year in school, or specific major. Conclusion. Impostor phenomenon is common at Ohio Northern University and does not discriminate by college, age, gender, race/ethnicity, year in school, or academic major. There is a need for external intervention to educate students on the impact of impostor phenomenon and to reduce this impact. Interventions should be targeted to all students enrolled at the university regardless of educational program or other demographics.