Cross-sectional study on the association of imposter syndrome with personality traits among medical, dental, and allied health undergraduates in Bengaluru

Introduction : This study investigated the prevalence of imposter syndrome (IS) and its correlation with personality traits among medical, dental and allied health undergraduate students in Bengaluru, India. The study assessed the frequency of imposter feelings among medical, dental and allied health undergraduates and examine their personality traits, specifically extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. Materials and methods : This study utilized a cross-sectional survey design to investigate the prevalence of imposter syndrome (IS) and its potential links to personality traits in medical and paramedical students, aged above 18 years. Data collection relied on validated self-report instruments: the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) measured IS, while the Big Five Inventory (BFI) assessed personality dimensions. Statistical analyses, including Spearman rank correlation tests, chi-square tests, and descriptive statistics, were employed to characterize the sample and identify significant relationships. Results : Data was collected from 378 respondents and underwent a rigorous data cleaning process. Three participants were excluded for being in earlier academic years (1st or 2nd year), and 28 reported pre-existing diagnosed mental health conditions. This resulted in a final analysed sample size of 347 participants. A substantial proportion (50.7%) of participants experienced moderate to high levels of imposter feelings. Interestingly, year in study (p=0.423) and background (discipline) (p=0.24) did not demonstrate statistically significant associations with IS levels. However, fourth-year MBBS students exhibited the highest prevalence of IS (32%), followed by third-year MBBS students (25.7%). High IS rates (ranging from 33.3% to 44.8%) were also observed amongst third-year students across all disciplines (MBBS, BDS, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Allied Health). Multivariate analyses further revealed a moderate positive correlation between IS and the personality trait of openness (p=0.252). Conclusion : These results suggest that certain personality traits may predispose individuals to experiencing imposter feelings, underscoring the necessity for targeted interventions and systemic changes within medical, dental, and allied health education institutions to effectively address this issue.