Self-Efficacy and Impostor Syndrome Among Selected Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students of Cavite State University - Main Campus

Authors

  • Jervin Dinglasan Quicho Cavite State University
  • Krisha Koleen A. Alfonso Cavite State University
  • Janette T. Añes Cavite State University image/svg+xml
  • Nica Angeline R. Ilem

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.07.01.07

Keywords:

Self-efficacy, Impostor Syndrome, Nursing students, psychoeducation program.

Abstract

Nursing is a psychologically and emotionally stressful profession where students have to reconcile the demands of school, clinical practice, and strength. This paper has discussed the connection between self-efficacy and impostor syndrome among students in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Cavite State University – Main Campus and whether there exists a sex difference in the variables. A total of 258 officially enrolled third- and fourth-year students were identified as having participated in the study in Academic Year 2024-2025 using total enumeration and purposive convenience sampling within the study with the descriptive comparative-correlational design. Frequency and percentage distributions, median, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rho and Fisher Z test were used as statistical analyses. Findings showed that the impostor feelings were common among both male and female students with average scores of 67.61 and 68.41 respectively which was categorized as frequent impostorism. Nonetheless, the level of self-efficacy in both groups was high with the mean scores of 30.98 and 29.66. There was no notable difference between the sexes in impostor syndrome (t = 0.392, p = 0.696), whereas, there was a notable difference in self-efficacy (U = -2.229, p = 0.026) with males having more confidence. The combination of intense impostor experiences and strong self-efficacy points has complex preparation in nursing education students believe they are competent but cannot learn to have their victory. These results indicate that self-efficacy can serve as an armor but a weak one against self-doubt. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abduhalim, A. (2025). Impostor syndrome phenomenon: Its link with self-efficacy and satisfaction among the students of Sulu State College. Indonesian Journal on Health Science and Medicine, 2(1), 164–168. Retrieved from https://ijhsm.umsida.ac.id/index.php/ijhsm/article/view/154. doi: 10.21070/ijhsm.v2i1.154

Acosta, J. A. T., Agullana, L. Y. Q., Basanes, R. M., Bugarin, L. A. R., Castillo, S. M. B., & Navalta, O. H. (2023). The burgeoning He-lianthus annuus: Lived experiences of nursing students on their first clinical du-ty amidst the new normal. International Journal of Nursing Science, 13(2), 37–52. doi: 10.5923/j.nursing.20231302.01

Al Harbi, F., Al Mutairi, A., Al Mutairi, A., & Al Mutairi, A. (2020). Academic motiva-tion and self efficacy among undergradu-ate nursing students in Riyadh Elm Uni-versity: A cross sectional survey. Interna-tional Journal of Multidisciplinary Re-search, 6(2), 1–8. Retrieved from https://www.multiresearchjournal.com/admin/uploads/archives/archive-1753854011.pdf

Andrew, L., Robinson, K., Dare, J., & Costello, L. (2022). Nursing students doing gender: Implications for higher education and the nursing profession. Nursing Inquiry, 30(1). doi: 10.1111/nin.12516

Aparna, K. H., & Menon, P. (n.d.). Impostor Syndrome: an integrative framework of its antecedents, consequences and mod-erating factors on sustainable leader be-haviors. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1357530

Austria, K. V. E., Fukushi, Y. C., Langomes, K. a. A., Panoril, B. C., Singh, M. G. D., & Mon-tano, R. L. T. (2024). Perceived parental perfectionism as a predictor of the impos-tor phenomenon among Filipino honor students. Psychological Studies, 69(3), 262–273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-024-00793-3

Averia, L. T., Casulla, K. a. H., Karen, K., Dumalagan, K. A., Gabuelo, Z. M. P., Lastimoso, M. M. C. O., & Faller, E. M. (2024). Nursing Student’s Perception on Gender-Defined Roles in the Philippines: A mixed method study. International Journal of Research Publication and Re-views, 5(1), 805–817. doi: 10.55248/gengpi.5.0124.0125

Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215.

Bantilo, M., Del Rosario, M., Garvilles, T. M., Molina, J. K., Vidallon, J., Villa, X. K., & Za-panta, Y. (2023). The Moderating role of self-efficacy in perfectionism and impost-er syndrome among graduating students of Cavite State University - College of Nursing [Undergraduate Thesis]. Cavite State University - Indang Campus.

Batur, A., Arslan, V., & Turan, S. (2024b. Analy-sis of the relationship between medical achievement self-efficacy perception and impostor phenomenon in the postgradu-ate education process: a cross-sectional study. BMC Medical Education, 24(1). doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-06591-9

Benjamin, L. S., Shanmugam, S. R., Magwilang, J. O., Hashim, S. M. A., Chellathurai, A., Habbash, A. S., . . . Alharbi, S. K. (2025). The relationship of imposter phenome-non, self-esteem, and resilience: promot-ing well-being among registered nurses. BMC Nursing, 24(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03560-5

Boncayao, H. G., Dioneda, L. N., Fedoc, C. N., Lozada, C., Quibilan, R., & Lazaro, R.

Bravata, D. M., Watts, S. A., Keefer, A. L., Madhusudhan, D. K., Taylor, K. T., Clark, D. M., … & Cokley, K. O. (2022). Preva-lence, predictors, and treatment of im-postor syndrome: A systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 37(6), 1571–1582. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07188-1

Bulfone G, Badolamenti S, Biagioli V, et al. Nursing students’ academic self-efficacy: A longitudinal analysis of academic self-efficacy changes and predictive variables over time. J Adv Nurs. 2021; 77: 2353–2362. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14771

Chan, R. C. H. (2022). A Social Cognitive Per-spective on Gender Disparities in Self-efficacy, Interest, and Aspirations in Sci-ence, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): The Influence of Cultural and Gender Norms. International Journal of STEM Education, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-022-00352-0

Chatterjee, D. (2022). Imposter Syndrome and its relationship with Self-Efficacy and Achievement of success. SSRN. Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4815409

Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The impos-tor phenomenon in high achieving wom-en: Dynamics and therapeutic interven-tion. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247.

Cowman, E., & Ferrari, J. (2002). “‘AM I FOR REAL?’ PREDICTING IMPOSTOR TENDENCIES FROM SELF-HANDICAPPING AND AFFECTIVE COM-PONENTS.” Social Behavior and Person-ality an International Journal 30(2):119–25. doi: 10.2224/sbp.2002.30.2.119.

Dela Cruz, Ma. C., Galilo, J. A., & Ledesma, C. (2017). Optimism level, psychological well-being and self-efficacy of irregular students of Cavite State University [Un-dergraduate Thesis]. Cavite State Univer-sity - Indang Campus

Dumanjug, H., Serato, J., Vicente, M. K., Pa-naguiton, J., & Recto, Z. S. (2024). Explor-ing Gender Differences in Self- Efficacy and Academic Performance among Col-lege Students. EduLine Journal of Educa-tion and Learning Innovation, 4(3), 397–409. doi: 10.35877/454ri.eduline3037

El-Ashry, A. M., Taha, S. M., Elhay, E. S. A., Hammad, H. A., Khedr, M. A., & El-Sayed, M. M. (2024). Prevalence of imposter syndrome and its association with de-pression, stress, and anxiety among nurs-ing students: a multi-center cross-sectional study. BMC Nursing, 23(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02414-w

Etikan, I. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. Ameri-can Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11

Fallan, L., & Opstad, L. (2016). Student Self-Efficacy and Gender-Personality interac-tions. International Journal of Higher Ed-ucation, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v5n3p32

Feenstra, S., Phillips, F., Begeny, C. T., & Ryan, M. K. (2025). Are you better than me? Competitive work climates fuel impostor-ism via upward social comparisons. So-cial Psychological and Personality Sci-ence. doi: 10.1177/19485506251348803

Huang, C. (2012). Gender differences in aca-demic self-efficacy: a meta-analysis. Eu-ropean Journal of Psychology of Educa-tion, 28(1), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-011-0097-y

Israel, G. D. (2013). Determining sample size. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida, In-stitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

K. (2025). A Qualitative Study of Impostor Phenomenon on Female Engineering Graduates’ Experiences from Pamantasan ng Cabuyao. International Journal of Mul-tidisciplinary Research and Growth Eval-uation, 06(03),1776–1782. Retrieved from https://www.allmultidisciplinaryjournal.com/uploads/archives/20250623190033_MGE-2025-3-362.1.pdf

Khalil, A. I., Alharbi, R., Qtame, H. A., Bena, R. A., & Khan, M. A. (2024). Investigating the association between resilience and im-postor syndrome in undergraduate nurs-ing and medical students: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine and Life, 17(9), 868–879. https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2024-0160

Khoramaki, Z., Safaei, L., Garhamani, L., & Nazari, M. (2025). The impact of social skills education intervention on self‐efficacy in female primary school stu-dents: A semi‐experimental study. Psy-chology in the Schools, 62(5), 1598–1606. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23411

Kusol, K., & Kaewpawong, P. (2023). Per-ceived Self-Efficacy, preventive health behaviors and quality of life among nurs-ing students in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient Preference and Adher-ence, Volume 17, 1989–1997. doi: 10.2147/ppa.s424611

Luz, C., Ray, A., & Olaoye, O. (2024). Clinical performance pressures and impostor phenomenon among nursing students. Journal of Nursing Practice and Educa-tion, 18(2), 77–8

Maftei, A., Dumitriu, A., & Holman, A. (2021). ”They will discover I’m a fraud!” The Im-postor Syndrome Among Psychology

Students. Studia Psychologica, 63(4), 337–351. doi: 10.31577/sp.2021.04.831

Mamnoun, S., Nfissi, A., & Naguim, M. (2023). Students’ Perceived Academic Self-Efficacy by gender and subject domain. Journal of Gender Culture and Society, 3(1), 57–65. doi: .32996/jgcs.2023.3.1.6

Medline A, Grissom H, Guissé NF, Kravets V, Hobson S, Samora JB, Schenker M. From Self-efficacy to Imposter Syndrome: The Intrapersonal Traits of Surgeons. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2022 Apr 12;6(4):e22.00051. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-22-00051.

Nazari AM, Borhani F, Abbaszadeh A, Kan-garbani MAK. (2025). Self-compassion, academic stress, and academic self-efficacy among undergraduate nursing students: a cross-sectional, multi-center study. BMC Med Educ. 2025 Apr 9;25(1):506. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07080-3. PMID: 40205531; PMCID: PMC11984038.

Otanes, M. E. M., Bangalan, S. G., Escalona, A. M., & Sibug, N. L. (2022). College motiva-tion, self-efficacy and college adjustment of freshmen college students. Interna-tional Journal of Health Sciences, 817–825. doi: 10.53730/ijhs.v6ns6.9675

Ozsaker E, Aykut Z, Doruker NC, Koze BS, Gecit S. The relationship between the ac-ademic self-efficacy and perceived stressors among nursing students in clini-cal settings: a cross-sectional study. BMC Nurs. 2025 Feb 26;24(1):216. doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-02836-0. PMID: 40011931; PMCID: PMC11863915.

Pákozdy, C., Askew, J., Dyer, J., Gately, P., Mar-tin, L., Mavor, K. I., & Brown, G. R. (2023). The imposter phenomenon and its rela-tionship with self-efficacy, perfectionism and happiness in university students. Cur-rent Psychology, 43(6), 5153–5162. doi: 10.1007/s12144-023-04672-4

Peng, Y., Xiao, S., Tu, H., Xiong, X., Ma, Z., Xu, W., & Cheng, T. (2022). The impostor phenomenon among nursing Students and nurses: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.809031

Price, S. L., Holcomb, J., & Payne, B. K. (2024). Gender differences in impostor phenom-enon: A meta-analysis. Current Psycholo-gy, 43(8), 6948–6966. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2024.101809

Prosen, M. (2022). Nursing students’ percep-tion of gender-defined roles in nursing: a qualitative descriptive study. BMC Nurs-ing, 21(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-022-00876-4

Rice, J., Rosario-Williams, B., Williams, F., West-Livingston, L., Savage, D., Wilensky, J. A., & Landry, A. (2023). Impostor syn-drome among minority medical students who are underrepresented in medicine. Journal of the National Medical Associa-tion, 115(2), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnma.2023.01.012

Rudberg, S. L., Westerbotn, M., Sormunen, T., Scheja, M., & Lachmann, H. (2022). Un-dergraduate nursing students’ experienc-es of becoming a professional nurse: a longitudinal study. BMC Nursing, 21(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-022-01002-0

Tenaw, Y. A. (2013). Students′ Attitude and Achievement in Chemistry with Teacher Classroom Management. International Journal of Elementary Education, 2(4), 27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeedu.20130204.11

Villan, C., Cunanan, G., & Mabalaca, M. (2025). A Correlational Analysis on Stress, Self-Efficacy, and Academic Burnout among Student Nurses. ETCOR Educational Re-search Center, 4(1).

Zamanzadeh, V., Valizadeh, L., Negarandeh, R., Monadi, M., & Azadi, A. (2013). Self efficacy among nursing students. In-ternational Journal of Current Research, 5(12), 4231–4234. Retrieved from https://www.journalcra.com/article/self-efficacy-among-nursing-students

Downloads

Published

2026-01-23

Data Availability Statement

none

How to Cite

Quicho, J. D., Alfonso, K. K. A., Añes, J. T., & Ilem, N. A. R. (2026). Self-Efficacy and Impostor Syndrome Among Selected Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students of Cavite State University - Main Campus. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 7(1), 77-89. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.07.01.07