Imposter Phenomenon and Psychological Health: A Systematic Review

Authors

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the main findings on the relationship between the impostor phenomenon and psychological health through a systematic literature review. A search was conducted in the SciELO, PsycINFO, PubMed, IndexPsi, and PePSIC databases (June to July 2023), using the descriptors “impostor phenomenon” and “psychological health.” The search identified 556 articles, which were subjected to eligibility criteria, resulting in 54 studies selected for analysis. The research showed a predominance of samples consisting of students and in the international context. Regarding psychological health variables, 22 constructs were identified that relate positively, negatively, or as predictors of the impostor phenomenon. The results highlighted the intricate interaction between impostorism and psychological health, as well as sample and contextual gaps, emphasizing the need for studies that investigate these constructs throughout human development and within the national context.

Keywords

Impostor phenomenon, Health, Mental health, Systematic review

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Author Biographies

Ana Karla Silva Soares, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul

Doutora em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal da Paraíba, atualmente é docente e pesquisadora na Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, coordenadora do Núcleo de Pesquisa em Psicometria e Psicologia Social (NPPS-CNPq), bolsista de produtividade do CNPQ.

Rafaela Teodoro Alves, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul

Mestre em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, atualmente é residente em Psicologia na Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, colaboradora do Núcleo de Pesquisa em Psicometria e Psicologia Social (NPPS).

José Ángel Vera Noriega , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Doutor em Psicología Social pela Universidade Nacional Autónoma de México, atualmente é docente na Universidade de Sonora, Membro do Sistema Nacional de Pesquisadores nível II (Conselho Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia), da Academia Mexicana de Ciências e do Conselho Mexicano de Pesquisa Educacional (COMIE AC).

Alberto Mesaque Martins , Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

Doutor em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, atualmente é docente na Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, coordena o Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Psicologias e Processos de Saúde e Cura (SANA, CNPq) e integra o Banco de Avaliadores do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Educação Superior do MEC/INEP e Bolsista de produtividade do CNPq.

Published

2025-08-29

How to Cite

Soares, A. K. S., Teodoro Alves, R., Ángel Vera Noriega , J., & Mesaque Martins , A. (2025). Imposter Phenomenon and Psychological Health: A Systematic Review. Quaderns De Psicologia, 27(2), e2153. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/qpsicologia.2153

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