Imposter Syndrome in New parents: Prevalence, Risk & Key Differences

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? NE
Is it more common among new parents? No prevalence evidence; transition creates distinctive competence concerns
Are new parents at higher risk? Strong contextual relevance
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? #N/A
Does it show up differently among new parents? Very Strong Yes
How might it look different? Normal uncertainty is interpreted as evidence that everyone else knows how to parent and “I'm fooling people into thinking I'm competent”
What commonly occurs alongside it? #N/A
What can it be confused with? Normal new-parent uncertainty; perfectionism; postpartum anxiety; low self-esteem
Common screening tool CIPS — Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale
Separate screening tool for new parents None
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