Imposter syndrome and its association with burnout and psychological morbidity among undergraduate medical students in Sindh, Pakistan
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Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the relationship between psychological morbidity, burnout, and imposter syndrome (IPS) among undergraduate medical students in Sindh, Pakistan.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2023 by the Department of Community Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, and Isra University, Hyderabad in Sindh, Pakistan. Third- and fourth-year MBBS students without prior psychiatric illness or medication use were included through non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected via Google Forms using four tools: a socio-demographic questionnaire, Young’s Imposter Scale (IPS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were applied, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: Out of 500 distributed forms, 289 valid responses were analyzed (response rate 61.2%). The mean age of participants was 20.8±3.4 years; 54% were female. IPS was prevalent in 58.5% of students, with higher rates in females and fourth-year students (p<0.05). IPS was significantly associated with age, residence, depression, and stress. Burnout was common, with 63.7% reporting high emotional exhaustion and 57.4% high depersonalization. Multivariate regression identified female gender (AOR=2.10, p=0.002), fourth-year status (AOR=1.75, p=0.018), rural residence (AOR=1.70, p=0.042), depression (AOR=2.60, p=0.001), stress (AOR=2.30, p=0.002), emotional exhaustion (AOR=2.95, p=0.001), and depersonalization (AOR=1.92, p=0.021) as significant predictors of IPS.
Conclusion: IPS is highly prevalent among undergraduate medical students and is strongly associated with burnout, depression, and stress. Early recognition and targeted interventions are essential to safeguard the psychological well-being and academic performance of future physicians.
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