Imposter Phenomenon, Social Comparison Orientation, and Mental Health: A Study of High-Achieving Indian College Students
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| Title: | Imposter Phenomenon, Social Comparison Orientation, and Mental Health: A Study of High-Achieving Indian College Students |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Sucharita Maji (ORCID |
| Source: | Roeper Review. 2025 47(1):47-59. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, High Achievement, Undergraduate Students, Engineering Education, Mental Health, Self Esteem, Educational Status Comparison, Peer Evaluation, Peer Influence, Social Status, Social Influences, Social Desirability, Student Attitudes |
| Geographic Terms: | India |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02783193.2024.2420356 |
| ISSN: | 0278-3193 1940-865X |
| Abstract: | Imposter phenomenon (IP) is characterized by an internal perception of one's intellectual fraudulence despite having objective and consistent accomplishments in a career. IP is prevalently observed among high-achieving, successful, and accomplished individuals, including students heading toward high-achieving careers. The current study explored the mental health consequences of IP among high-achieving Indian students. It was conducted with undergraduate engineering students (N = 302) enrolled in one prime engineering institution in India. A mediational model that connects IP, social comparison, and mental health has been tested. Social comparison has been assessed through both ability-related social comparison (A-SCO) and opinion-related social comparison (O-SCO). The results revealed that mental health negatively correlates with ability-related social comparison and IP. However, the opinion-related social comparison does not significantly correlate with the student's mental health status. Moreover, ability-related social comparison significantly mediates the relationship between IP and mental health. The study shows no gender difference in the variables. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1455038 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Imposter phenomenon (IP) is characterized by an internal perception of one's intellectual fraudulence despite having objective and consistent accomplishments in a career. IP is prevalently observed among high-achieving, successful, and accomplished individuals, including students heading toward high-achieving careers. The current study explored the mental health consequences of IP among high-achieving Indian students. It was conducted with undergraduate engineering students (N = 302) enrolled in one prime engineering institution in India. A mediational model that connects IP, social comparison, and mental health has been tested. Social comparison has been assessed through both ability-related social comparison (A-SCO) and opinion-related social comparison (O-SCO). The results revealed that mental health negatively correlates with ability-related social comparison and IP. However, the opinion-related social comparison does not significantly correlate with the student's mental health status. Moreover, ability-related social comparison significantly mediates the relationship between IP and mental health. The study shows no gender difference in the variables. |
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| ISSN: | 0278-3193 1940-865X |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02783193.2024.2420356 |
