Association Between Imposter Phenomenon and Relatedness and Competence Among STEM Education Doctoral Students

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Navigation the STEM Experience in Graduate Education (Table 4)

Abstract

Anxiety, stress, and burnout are prevalent among graduate students and have been linked with imposterism. Graduate students experiencing the imposter phenomenon possess self-doubt about belonging in academia and view themselves as a fraud. STEM education doctoral programs are unique environments attracting students from diverse backgrounds (e.g., interests, identities, experiences, degrees), creating potential challenges in relating to others in the program and feeling incompetent. This exploratory, mixed-methods study examined the relationship between relatedness, competence, and imposterism by comparing students experiencing high and low imposter traits. Feelings of non-relatedness and incompetence were more prevalent among students with high imposter traits. The study highlights the challenges feelings of relatedness and incompetence create for mitigating imposter phenomenon in STEM education programs.

Authors

• Julianna Nieuwsma, North Carolina State University
  Presenting Author

• M. Gail Jones, North Carolina State University
  Presenting Author

• Rebecca V. Ward, State Climate Office of North Carolina
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kathleen Bordewieck, North Carolina State University
  Presenting Author

• Emma Refvem, Durham Public Schools
  Non-Presenting Author