Severity of imposter syndrome associated with resilience, self-esteem, and depression among medical students in Thailand

Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Imposter Syndrome (IP) and its associated factors among Thai medical students. Methods Thai medical students voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional survey conducted from September to October 2022. The completed online questionnaires included the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) to assess IP Status, along with several other factors from different questionnaires: the Single-Item Measurement of Suicidal Behaviors, the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Resilience Inventory, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between these factors and IP. Results A study involving 477 medical students revealed that 47.1% of Thai participants reported experiencing frequent IP, while 7.1% identified at an intense level. Notably, students in their 2nd year, along with those exhibiting high resilience, demonstrated lower CIPS scores when compared to their 1st-year counterparts, with regression coefficients of −4.72 and −9.66, respectively. Conversely, factors such as moderate and high self-esteem, as well as indicators of depression, were significantly associated with an increased severity of IP. Conclusion Approximately 50% of Thai medical students experience Impostor Syndrome, which is associated with higher rates of depression. Additionally, high self-esteem may worsen IP. Promoting resilience through structured curricula and group therapy overseen by medical schools could be an effective approach to address this issue.