A new study reveals that 97.5% of women in STEM graduate programs feel like intellectual frauds despite their successes. This impostorism correlates with poorer mental health, higher burnout rates, and greater thoughts of dropping out. Researchers suggest supportive environments and flexible views of intelligence could mitigate these feelings.
Impostorism, a persistent self-doubt that undermines achievements, affects nearly every woman pursuing advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. According to research led by Jiyun Elizabeth Shin, a psychology lecturer at Binghamton University, State University of New York, 97.5% of such women report moderate or higher levels of these feelings. The study, published in the journal Social Psychology of Education in 2025, highlights how successes like top grades and research funding are often attributed to luck rather than skill.
Shin defines impostorism as "a feeling like being an intellectual fraud even when there is strong evidence of success." Affected individuals fear exposure as incompetent, believing others overestimate their abilities. This pattern, distinct from low self-esteem or depression, is particularly acute for women from marginalized groups, exacerbated by stereotypes questioning their intellectual capacity in male-dominated fields.
The research connects impostorism to tangible harms: "Findings from my research showed that impostorism predicted poorer overall mental health, greater burnout, and increased consideration of dropout among graduate women in STEM," Shin noted. A fixed mindset—viewing intelligence as innate rather than developable—intensifies these issues, making setbacks seem like confirmations of inadequacy.
While impostorism can strike high achievers broadly, its prevalence in STEM underscores barriers to retention. Shin advocates for more open discussions and social support to alleviate fears. "More research is needed to better identify strategies to reduce impostor experiences, but social support may be helpful in reducing impostor fears," she added. Fostering growth-oriented beliefs about ability could help women internalize their accomplishments and persist in these vital fields.
