The impostor phenomenon at work: A systematic evidence‐based review, conceptual development, and agenda for future research

Abstract

SummaryThe impostor phenomenon (IP) was originally identified over 40 years ago, and there has been a recent surge in its examination across domains of management research. However, a lack of a comprehensive review that synthesizes organizationally‐relevant IP research has left IP research dispersed across time and disciplines with diminished conceptual clarity and an incoherent nomological network. We address these shortcomings by conducting a systematic review of IP in the workplace. We review 188 scholarly works (111 articles and 77 dissertations) published from 1978 to 2023 and summarize these data to describe the current state of the workplace‐relevant IP literature. Moreover, we map the antecedents, correlates, mediators, moderators, and outcomes that have been examined in published research with the IP to develop an integrative framework. Next, we identify gaps in the literature, including the issue of conceptual imprecision regarding the IP construct. We address this imprecision through the advancement of both a trait‐ and state‐based understanding of the IP experience. Finally, we identify avenues for future research to direct future studies of the IP in organizational research.

Interventions addressing the impostor phenomenon: a scoping review

“…Indeed, the definition of IP is not discussed in most of the studies selected, despite the persistent lack of conceptual clarity relating to IP. This observation echoes that of Gullifor et al (2023) when challenging “ the implicit assumption that the conceptualization of IP is thoroughly and soundly developed ” (p. 2).…”

“…Developing individuals’ psychological resources by promoting self-knowledge also seems a particularly relevant research focus. According to Gullifor et al (2023) , the impostor phenomenon may emerge from an incongruence between one’s own self-concept and other self-concept. Therefore, any research perspective aimed at developing a more accurate vision of oneself is interesting.…”

“…If, for many years, it was perceived as a stable personality trait (e.g., Topping, 1983 ; Sonnak and Towell, 2001 ), it was later seen as an affective state that could manifest itself in certain situations (e.g., Leary et al, 2000 ; McElwee and Yurak, 2007 ); a psychological experience according to McElwee and Yurak (2010) . Since then, this aspect of the discussion has not really been elucidated, as Gullifor et al (2023) pointed out. In response to this issue, these authors proposed a trait–state conceptualization of IP.…”

“…Despite these critical gaps in the scientific literature, which are legitimately deplored by the authors of systematic reviews on the subject ( Mak et al, 2019 ; Bravata et al, 2020 ; Gullifor et al, 2023 ), the field of research of the interventions addressing IP is, quite recently, expanding. According to recent perspectives (e.g., Kark et al, 2022 ), IP presents as a psycho-social issue that affects the psychological health, wellbeing, and careers of individuals.…”

Does Success Really Hurt? Impostor Syndrome Among Managers of Polish Enterprises – Results of a – Preliminary Qualitative Study

“…According to research, people affected by impostor syndrome are unable to internalize their own successes and feel that the current position they hold was achieved in an "illegitimate" way, e.g., as a result of luck or excessive effort (Ibrahim et al, 2022, pp. 3916-3927;Gullifor et al, 2023). Impostor syndrome is experienced by women and men in different age groups-from adolescents to late-career professionals.…”