Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Colin Smith

Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Counseling Psychology

Committee Chair

Sara Bridges

Committee Member

Patrick D Murphy

Committee Member

Suzanne H Lease

Committee Member

Pamela A Cogdal

Abstract

A narrative inquiry study explored six graduate students’ experiences of "imposter syndrome” during their graduate studies. Semi-structured interviews occurred with each participant at two time points: one initial interview and a follow-up interview to discuss the impact of the initial interview and to perform member checking. Each interview was analyzed individually to create summative narrative of their unique experiences of imposter feelings. Interviews were also analyzed on a study-wide level to explore common threads of the “imposter syndrome” in graduate school. Results suggested imposter feelings in graduate students were related to the ability to discuss imposter feelings with others, program demographic makeup, and the level of competition and support within a program. Implications and recommendations for further research and graduate programs are provided. Individual and systemic perspectives are discussed.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Open Access

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