An Exploration of Imposter Phenomenon Amongst Doctoral Students

Keeble, Niall (2026) An Exploration of Imposter Phenomenon Amongst Doctoral Students. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Aim:
This thesis aims to explore (a) maladaptive associations of Imposter Phenomenon (IP) in doctoral and PhD students, and (b) quantitatively investigate the relationship between IP, perfectionism, and psychological wellbeing in trainee clinical psychologists.

Design:
The portfolio comprises of the following sections: (a) an introduction to the content of the thesis, (b) a systematic review examining maladaptive associations of IP in doctoral and PhD students using a narrative synthesis approach, (c) a bridging chapter outlining maladaptive associations of IP and its relevance to UK trainee clinical psychologists, (d) an empirical paper investigating the relationship between IP, perfectionism, and wellbeing in UK trainee clinical psychologists, and (e) a concluding discussion and critical evaluation.

Results:
The systematic review identified consistent associations between IP and psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, alongside links with perfectionism and low self-esteem. Relational and contextual factors, such as supervisory relationships and academic climate, were also associated. The empirical study demonstrated significant positive associations between IP, perfectionist cognitions, and symptoms of depression and anxiety in trainee clinical psychologists. Perfectionist cognitions independently predicted depressive symptoms once imposter feelings were accounted for, whereas both constructs were associated with anxiety. Moderation analyses did not support an interaction effect between perfectionist cognitions and IP.

Conclusion:
Overall, the findings indicate that IP in doctoral-level contexts is associated with psychological distress within a broader cognitive and contextual framework. While perfectionistic thinking appears particularly salient to depressive symptoms in trainee clinical psychologists, the systematic review also highlights the wider influence of relational and academic environments in the development and maintenance of imposter experiences. This portfolio advances a more integrated understanding of IP within advanced academic and professional training and informs directions for future research.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Amy Millward-Doherty
Date Deposited:	13 Nov 2026 14:09
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2026 14:09
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/105109
DOI:

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