RESUMEN
Introduction: Impostor Phenomenon (IP) is the inability to internalize success and a tendency to attribute success to external causes. Social and institutional support are strategies to avoid the problem, but only partially successful. Resilience has been considered protective against mental health disorders in medical students. This study aims to investigate the association between IP and resilience in undergraduate medical students. Methods: Using Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and a socio-demographic questionnaire, we conducted a cross-sectional, quantitative study with undergraduate medical students. Results: The study included 425 pre-clerkship medical students of average age of 23.03 years. The prevalence of IP was 47.76% (CIPS ≥ 62 score, as recommended in prior literature.) and there were no differences among age, gender, current semester, religion. The majority student's CD-RISC score was 68.57 ± 14.66 and there was no statistical difference in resilience scale among age, gender, religion and training semester. "Other religions" group was associated with a higher resilience score when compared to "Catholic" or "Non-religious" students. We found an inverse correlation between the level of resilience by CD-RISC and the level of symptoms related to IP by CIPS (ρ = -0.409; p-value < .001). Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest that higher levels of resilience are likely protective against IP among undergraduate medical students. Furthermore, the non-inclusion of medical internship students and the cross-sectional design of this study are restraining aspects noticed within the project, suggesting the need for further studies to adjust those limitations.
RESUMEN
Abstract: Introduction: The Impostor Syndrome (IS) is characterized as inability to internalize success and tendency to attribute success to external causes such as luck, error or ignorance of other people. Despite the recent increase in the number of IS publications, studies on this condition in undergraduate medical students and the impact on mental health are scarce. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IS and its association with Burnout Syndrome (BS) and depression. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study was carried out with undergraduate medical students at a university center in Northeast Brazil. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used. Results: Of the 425 students assessed, 47 (11.06%), 151 (35.53%), 163 (38.35%) and 64 (15.06%) had mild, moderate, severe and very severe IS symptoms, respectively. Not being married, having a low level of physical activity and not contributing to family income were associated with severe or very severe IS symptoms (p < .001, p = .032 and p = .025, respectively). Previous medical diagnosis of depression, anxiety and use of antidepressants are also associated with severe or very severe IS symptoms (p = .019, p = .006 and p = .011, respectively). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the CIPS and PHQ-9 scale scores (p = .459, p < .001), and an association between BS (Emotional Exhaustion and Cynicism dimensions) and IS (p < .001). Conclusion: This study identified an association between IS and BS and depression among undergraduate medical students. Further studies with interventions against IS may show a positive impact on mental health.
Resumo: Introdução: A síndrome do impostor (SI) é caracterizada como a incapacidade de internalizar o sucesso e a tendência de atribuir o sucesso a causas externas, como sorte, erro ou ignorância de outras pessoas. Apesar do recente aumento no número de publicações sobre SI, estudos sobre essa condição em estudantes de graduação em Medicina e o impacto sobre a saúde mental são escassos. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de SI e sua associação com a síndrome de burnout (SB) e depressão. Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e quantitativo com alunos de graduação em Medicina de um centro universitário do Nordeste do Brasil. Utilizaram-se um questionário sociodemográfico, a Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), a Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student Survey (MBI-SS) e o Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Resultado: Entre os 425 alunos avaliados, 47 (11,06%) apresentaram sintomas leves; 151 (35,53%), moderados; 163 (38,35%) graves; e 64 (15,06%), muito graves. Fatores como não ser casado, ter baixo nível de atividade física e não contribuir para a renda familiar foram associados a sintomas graves ou muito graves de SI (p < 0,001, p = 0,032 e p = 0,025, respectivamente). O diagnóstico médico prévio de depressão e ansiedade e o uso de antidepressivos também foram associados a sintomas graves ou muito graves de SI (p = 0,019, p = 0,006 e p = 0,011, respectivamente). Além disso, houve uma correlação positiva entre os escores da CIPS e do PHQ-9 (p = 0,459, p < 0,001), e uma associação entre SB (dimensões de exaustão emocional e descrença) e SI (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Este estudo identificou associação entre SI e SB e depressão em estudantes de graduação em Medicina. Outros estudos com intervenção na SI podem demonstrar um impacto positivo na saúde mental.