The association of competitiveness and sociodemographics with imposter phenomenon in a cohort of sport science college undergraduates
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Imposter phenomenon is where individuals experience continued feelings of self-doubt, with fears of being exposed as frauds. The intersectionality of different identities related to imposter phenomenon has rarely been examined in sport science student populations. This study examines the prevalence of imposter phenomenon among sport science undergraduate students and explores differences between different sociodemographic groups. METHODS: This secondary analysis study examines 289 undergraduate students in a sport science course at a United States Southeastern university from Spring 2023 to Spring 2025. The Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) measured imposter phenomenon, and the Revised Competitiveness Index (CI-R) examined competitiveness. Multiple linear regression examined associations of imposter phenomenon with sociodemographic variables and competitiveness subscales (enjoyment of competition, contentiousness). RESULTS: Overall, 52.6% of students reported frequent or intense imposter characteristics (CIPS mean±SD = 62.1 ± 12.9). In the final model (adjusted r² = 26.7%), significant predictors included: being a senior versus first-year/sophomore (b = 5.6; 95%CI: 2.1, 9.2); and higher contentiousness (10%-increase-b = -1.5; 95%CI: -2.0, -0.9). Interaction terms included gender identity × first generation student status (p = 0.02) and varsity athlete × enjoyment of competition (p = 0.06). Among first generation students, those not identifying as men had higher imposter phenomenon than men (b = 7.4; 95%CI: 4.2, 10.6); among non-first generation students, no differences were found (b = -1.3; 95%CI: -7.9, 5.2). Among varsity athletes, for every 10% increase in the enjoyment of competition subscale, imposter phenomenon scores decreased by 2.1 (95%CI: -4.4, 0.1); among non-varsity athletes, enjoyment of competition was not associated with imposter phenomenon scores (10%-increase-b = 0.1; 95%CI: -0.7, 0.8). DISCUSSION: Over half of the sample noted frequent and intense feelings of imposter phenomenon. Helping students consider their capabilities and potential for future success, despite academic setbacks, should be considered in resources to mitigate imposter phenomenon. Resources throughout a student's college tenure can help address imposter phenomenon at various stages of academic and professional development.
Source: PLoS ONE
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,382
Funders: U.S. Department of Defense, American Cancer Society, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, American University of Beirut, National Center for Child Health and Development, Colorado School of Mines, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Wellcome Trust, JRS Biodiversity Foundation, UK Research and Innovation, Fonds der Chemischen Industrie, British Heart Foundation, Royal Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, University of Exeter, University of Leicester, National Heart Foundation of Australia, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, AO Foundation, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Danmarks Grundforskningsfond, University of Queensland, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Taibah University, Belgian Federal Science Policy Office, Cancerfonden, Ministero della Salute, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Helse- og Omsorgsdepartementet, Rural Development Administration, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Jordan University of Science and Technology, China Scholarship Council, Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, TrygFonden, Alberta Innovates, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Beckett-Fonden, Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, Fondation Botnar, Utdannings- og forskningsdepartementet, VLIRUOS, National Institutes of Health, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Regional Development Fund, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH Clinical Center, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, H2020 European Research Council, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NHLBI Division of Intramural Research, HORIZON EUROPE European Innovation Council, HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council, European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, Wellcome Leap
OpenAlex ID: W7165655969