Impostor syndrome: where does this doubt come from that affects 7 out of 10 people

Doubting one’s abilities despite objectively good results: this is at the heart of the impostor syndrome, a psychological phenomenon that would affect, at one time or another, nearly 70% of the population. A study published in 2025 in the scientific journal Nature Communications by a team from the University of Copenhagen provides new insight into its actual origin.

A concept nearly 50 years old

The term was coined in 1978 by American psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes, who at the time described “the unpleasant feeling of doubting oneself”, preventing some people from fully owning their successes. In 1985, Clance developed a measurement scale, still used today, which evaluates the intensity of the phenomenon across six dimensions, including perfectionism and fear of failure.

The syndrome is not limited to a simple, occasional lack of confidence. It manifests as a systematic self-devaluation, a persistent doubt about the legitimacy of one’s professional status, and a diffuse conviction of not deserving what one has nevertheless obtained through one’s own abilities.

What recent research reveals

The study led by researcher Sucharit Katyal and his colleagues, published in Nature Communications in 2025, sheds new light on the mechanism at work. By observing participants exhibiting symptoms of anxiety or depression, the researchers found that these individuals tended to ignore the moments when they had actually shown strong confidence in their correct answers.

In other words, the problem does not stem from an objectively inferior performance, but from the way these people evaluate their own performance in hindsight. Their persistent negative beliefs about themselves would be largely illusory, and would find their origin in a dysfunctional mode of self-evaluation rather than in objective reality.

A tangible impact on professional life

At work, the consequences are far from trivial. Impostor syndrome often manifests as a reluctance to speak up in meetings, a tendency to systematically downplay one’s achievements, or even a form of paralysis when faced with career opportunities, such as a promotion or public speaking.

• Around 70% of people are affected at some point in their lives, regardless of their hierarchical level
• More than 70% of American company executives surveyed in 2024 say they have already experienced it
• A significant proportion of affected workers report associated burnout
• Women and certain minority groups remain statistically the most exposed

Ways to regain confidence

Faced with this phenomenon, specialists recommend a two-pronged approach. At the individual level, it means learning to objectively identify one’s strengths, to give positive feedback the same attention as criticism, and not hesitating to share one’s doubts with colleagues or a mental health professional.

At the company level, organizations most attentive to this issue focus on a climate of trust, progressive professional challenges rather than pressure based solely on performance, and training managers to spot these situations. These issues connect more broadly to the topics of workplace well-being and occupational health, a subject increasingly present in corporate human resources policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is impostor syndrome recognized as a psychiatric disorder?

No. It does not appear in official medical classifications of mental disorders. It is a psychological phenomenon described by research, which can nevertheless have a real impact on the well-being and professional lives of those affected.

Why are some people more prone to it than others?

Studies show a link with anxiety and depression: people exhibiting these symptoms tend to systematically underestimate their own successes, even when their objective results are good. Women and certain minority groups also appear more exposed in several surveys.

What should you do if you recognize yourself in this syndrome?

Experts advise concretely recording your achievements, accepting compliments without systematically minimizing them, and talking about it with your professional circle or a psychologist if the doubt becomes disabling in daily life.

Sources

• University of Copenhagen – Why do we doubt our own abilities when we are good at something?
• Slate.fr – Impostor syndrome: a new study reveals the profiles most often affected
• Preventica – Impostor syndrome: everything you need to know