An investigation into the prevalence of the impostor phenomenon amongst UK registered Osteopaths
Item
- Title
- An investigation into the prevalence of the impostor phenomenon amongst UK registered Osteopaths
- Author(s)
- Fassam, R
- Abstract
- Background The impostor phenomenon (IP) has been associated with negative well-being outcomes such as depression, anxiety and psychological distress. In the past 5 years, research has shown the IPs negative influence on work related outcomes such as job satisfaction, organisational commitment, career planning/striving/optimism/adaptability, continuance commitment and burnout. There is a paucity of the literature in regard to possible effects of the IP on healthcare professionals. This study aims to fill a gap in the literature that exists in regard to healthcare professions that are considered outsiders to mainstream allopathic medicine, in this case osteopathy. Objective To explore the prevalence of the impostor phenomenon amongst UK osteopaths in order to determine what factors influence their self-reported levels of impostor feelings. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire design was utilised to capture demographic characteristics and self-reported levels of impostor feelings via the validated Clance impostor phenomenon scale (CIPS). Results A sample size of 444 registered UK osteopaths gave a 16.9% response rate. Of these 45% were male, 54% were female and 1% preferred not to say. Mean age was 47.8 years. IP feelings were present in ‘moderate’, ‘frequent’ or ‘intense’ levels in 84.46% of the sample. Mean IP score was 58.1 which falls within the ‘moderate’ level. Significant associations were found between IP score and; age (p=0.0005), gender (p=0.0046), type of degree held (p=0.0168), number of years in practice (p=0.0072), practitioner type (0.0474) and involvement with osteopathic education (p=0.0037). Discussion This research shows an association with gender and IP levels, which contradicts recent studies and therefore the question of whether IP in gender-typical or not remains inconclusive. As well as gender, associations with increasing age are generalisable to the wider osteopathic community. The external validity of other associations would benefit from further research being untaken into UK healthcare professionals. Conclusions This research has highlighted IP and being highly prevalent in UK registered osteopaths. Despite time and experience being speculated as moderators in IP feelings, the detrimental effects of the phenomenon should not be ignored as they may be damaging not only the well-being of practitioners, but the care patients are provided and the profession as a whole.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2020
- Date Submitted
- 28.10.2020 18:08:19
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16659
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Impostor phenomenon, Osteopathy, Questionnaire, Clance impostor phenomenon scale.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Fassam, R, “An investigation into the prevalence of the impostor phenomenon amongst UK registered Osteopaths”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 19, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/196