60% of social care workers have experienced imposter syndrome at work

New research from the Executive Development Network has found that social care workers are among the jobs with the highest level of imposter syndrome and have highlighted what factors make you more suspectable.

The research, which was published last week and was conducted via a survey of 5,000 people, found that while imposter syndrome – the condition of feeling anxious and not experiencing success internally despite being high-performing in external, objective ways – is common, with half of UK adults impacted by it, some groups are affected more than others.

From the research, experts found some of the highest levels of imposter syndrome are found within the social care sector as 60% of staff members claimed that have felt it at least once during their career. 

Against this backdrop, statistics that were reported by Care Management Matters in October 2023 outlined that the turnover rate within the social care sector was 28.3% during 2022/23, which means around 390,000 people left their jobs and around a third of them left the sector altogether.

As well as current pressures forcing social care staff members out of their positions, the research highlighted by the Executive Development Network could also explain why staff are leaving.

In addition, researchers also discovered that 54% of women feel they have experienced imposter syndrome compared with 38% of men. However, people who identify as non-binary are the worst impacted as 57% have been found to doubt their abilities in the workplace.  

The jobs with the highest levels of imposter syndrome were found to be:

• Science and pharmaceuticals (78%)
• Marketing, advertising and PR (72%)
• Recruitment and HR (67%)
• Information research and analysis (67%)
• Publishing and journalism (64%)
• Social care (60%)

Jo Hemmings, a behavioural psychologist, said: ‘This research highlights just how widespread of an issue imposter syndrome is and the need for more conversations around it. I strongly agree with the 59% that say there should be better education and training on imposter syndrome in the workplace.’

‘This research identifies some of the techniques and situations that help combat feelings of imposter syndrome, like receiving positive feedback from managers and colleagues and setting realistic expectations,’ Jo said. ‘However, there is a clear pattern that alongside these techniques, individuals would benefit from various forms of more formal training, including leadership, communication and coaching skills.’ 

Alongside highlighting which job professions suffer the most with the disorder, the Executive Network also outlined the impacts and perceptions of imposter syndrome.

The top five triggers were found to be:

• Comparing oneself with others at work (53%)
• Working on a high-pressure project (37%)
• Receiving negative feedback (35%)
• Getting a new job (35%)
• Give a speech and/or a presentation (27%)

Image: Önder Örtel and Executive Development Network 

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Care campaign returns to grow the sectors workforce

War and peace: Adult social care workforce grows but challenges remain