Reconceptualizing the impostor phenomenon as an occupational experience: a scoping review and framework synthesis of qualitative evidence guided by the model of human occupation
- 1Department of Occupational Therapy, Yenepoya School of Allied Health Sciences, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)
- 2Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Center, Yenepoya (Deemed to be Univesity)
- 3Centre for Integrative Research in Clinical Genetics and Metabolic Medicine, Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)
Abstract
Background: The Impostor phenomenon is characterized by persistent feelings of self-doubt and difficulty internalizing accomplishment despite being competent. Although its psychological consequences among healthcare professionals have been extensively studied, the influences of impostor phenomenon on occupational functioning remains underexplored. This scoping review synthesized qualitative evidence to examine the experiences of healthcare professionals with impostor phenomenon through the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), providing an occupational science perspective on impostor phenomenon.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute approach and reported following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. The protocol was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework. PubMed/MEDLINE, ProQuest Central, and Web of Science databases were searched for English-language qualitative studies published between 2015 and 2025. Data were charted and a framework synthesis was conducted using the Framework Method, with MOHO as the a priori analytical framework.
Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Within volition, participants demonstrated a competence-confidence disconnect, attributional challenges and gradual reconstruction of perceived competence, while values remained largely intact despite self-doubt. Habituation reflected disrupted professional identity formation, role transitions and compensatory occupational patterns including concealment, overpreparation and perfectionistic work routines. Performance capacity was characterized by altered subjective experiences of occupational performance, including emotional distress, cognitive burden and perceived inadequacy despite evidence of competence, with consequences for learning, participation and performance. Environmental influences included supportive mentorship, constructive feedback and psychologically safe workplaces, whereas hierarchical cultures, discrimination, workload pressures and organizational expectations could potentially reinforce IP.
Conclusion: Interpreted through MOHO, the findings suggest that IP may be experienced across interconnected occupational processes, encompassing perceived competence, and professional role development, patterns of doing and influence of the environment. These interpretations require further cross-professional and longitudinal evidence. This review highlights the value of occupation-centered approaches for understanding and addressing IP and identifies opportunities for occupational therapy, healthcare education and organizational interventions that support healthy professional development.
Systematic review registration: OSF, registration DOI: https://osf.io/xrbpd
Related
- Effects of an Occupation-Based Group Occupational Therapy Intervention on Cognitive Functioning in Adults with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Performance-Based Versus Informant-Reported IADL in Dementia: A Person-Environment-Occupation Perspective for Occupational Therapy Outcome Selection.
- Early incorporation of body capital in adolescent beauty culture: A qualitative study of the ‘Sephora Kids’ phenomenon
- The real experience and coping styles of emergence delirium in patients after radical lung cancer surgery: a qualitative study
- The lived experience of critical care nurses caring for patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a qualitative study
BibTeX
@article{pandey2026reconceptualizing,
title = {{Reconceptualizing the impostor phenomenon as an occupational experience: a scoping review and framework synthesis of qualitative evidence guided by the model of human occupation}},
author = {Latika Pandey and Fathima Yasmin and Rinshidha Gibin and Mehar Fathima and Suman Jabeen and Asniyah Sharieff and Junaid KTK and Ranajit Das},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1975155},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1975155/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Reconceptualizing the impostor phenomenon as an occupational experience: a scoping review and framework synthesis of qualitative evidence guided by the model of human occupation
AU - Latika Pandey
AU - Fathima Yasmin
AU - Rinshidha Gibin
AU - Mehar Fathima
AU - Suman Jabeen
AU - Asniyah Sharieff
AU - Junaid KTK
AU - Ranajit Das
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1975155
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1975155/full
AB - Background: The Impostor phenomenon is characterized by persistent feelings of self-doubt and difficulty internalizing accomplishment despite being competent. Although its psychological consequences among healthcare professionals have been extensively studied, the influences of impostor phenomenon on occupational functioning remains underexplored. This scoping review synthesized qualitative evidence to examine the experiences of healthcare professionals with impostor phenomenon through the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), providing an occupational science perspective on impostor phenomenon. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute approach and reported following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. The protocol was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework. PubMed/MEDLINE, ProQuest Central, and Web of Science databases were searched for English-language qualitative studies published between 2015 and 2025. Data were charted and a framework synthesis was conducted using the Framework Method, with MOHO as the a priori analytical framework. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Within volition, participants demonstrated a competence-confidence disconnect, attributional challenges and gradual reconstruction of perceived competence, while values remained largely intact despite self-doubt. Habituation reflected disrupted professional identity formation, role transitions and compensatory occupational patterns including concealment, overpreparation and perfectionistic work routines. Performance capacity was characterized by altered subjective experiences of occupational performance, including emotional distress, cognitive burden and perceived inadequacy despite evidence of competence, with consequences for learning, participation and performance. Environmental influences included supportive mentorship, constructive feedback and psychologically safe workplaces, whereas hierarchical cultures, discrimination, workload pressures and organizational expectations could potentially reinforce IP. Conclusion: Interpreted through MOHO, the findings suggest that IP may be experienced across interconnected occupational processes, encompassing perceived competence, and professional role development, patterns of doing and influence of the environment. These interpretations require further cross-professional and longitudinal evidence. This review highlights the value of occupation-centered approaches for understanding and addressing IP and identifies opportunities for occupational therapy, healthcare education and organizational interventions that support healthy professional development. Systematic review registration: OSF, registration DOI: https://osf.io/xrbpd
SN - 2296-2565
ER -