Relationship between Imposter Phenomenon and Compassion Fatigue among Clinical Psychology Trainees

Abstract

Background: Imposter phenomenon (IP) refers to an experience of self-doubt, feeling like a fraud despite objective evidence, and a tendency to attribute success to luck, causing inadequacy and anxiety even in highly skilled individuals. Possessing Imposter symptoms can have debilitating effects on the mental health of those working in the mental healthcare system, especially those undergoing training and can lead to compassion fatigue (CF) which refers to excessive emotional and physical exhaustion, often accompanied with reduced empathy, experienced by individuals due to prolonged exposure to others’ suffering. Little is known about the causal relationship of Imposter phenomenon and compassion fatigue in individuals undergoing clinical training in mental healthcare. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between imposter phenomenon and compassion fatigue in clinical psychology trainees.  Method and Materials: Data was gathered from 116 clinical psychology trainees enrolled in RCI (https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/) approved institutions across India via purposive and snowball sampling. Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) and Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQol) were employed on assess the degree of imposter feelings, compassion fatigue (burnout, secondary traumatic stress) and compassion satisfaction. Statistical analysis was done using regression and other techniques with the help of SPSS version 29.0. Result: The Imposter phenomenon displayed a positive correlation with Compassion Fatigue – Burnout (r=.453**) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (r=.414**). Moreover, the Imposter phenomenon emerged as a significant predictor of Burnout (R2=.205) and STS (R2=.171), that are components of compassion fatigue.  Conclusion: The prevalence of the Imposter phenomenon and compassion fatigue was observed among trainees in clinical psychology. Notably, the Imposter phenomenon significantly predicted compassion fatigue, encompassing burnout and secondary traumatic stress.