Volume 15, Issue 6 (Nov & Dec 2025)
J Research Health 2025, 15(6): 603-614 |
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Ethics code: IR.MODARES.REC.1402.001
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Bagheri Sheykhangafshe F, Savabi Niri V, Azizrousta S, Allahzade M, Farahani H. The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Internalized Shame, Fear of Success, and Anxiety Sensitivity in Nursing With Imposter. J Research Health 2025; 15 (6) :603-614
URL: http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2716-en.html
URL: http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2716-en.html
Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe1 
, Vahid Savabi Niri2 , Saba Azizrousta2 , Mohadese Allahzade3 , Hojjatollah Farahani4
, Vahid Savabi Niri2 , Saba Azizrousta2 , Mohadese Allahzade3 , Hojjatollah Farahani4
1- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. , farzinbagheri73@gmail.com
2- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.
3- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Science, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
4- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.
3- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Science, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
4- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (1013 Views)
Background: Imposter phenomenon (IP), marked by self-doubt and fear of exposure, is common among high-achieving individuals, including nursing students facing academic and clinical pressures. These challenges heighten shame, fear of success, and anxiety sensitivity, harming mental health and performance. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), focusing on psychological flexibility, is a promising intervention. This study evaluated the ACT’s effectiveness in reducing these patterns in nursing students with IP.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a parallel-group design with pre-test and post-test measures. Thirty-six nursing students with IP from Tehran (Districts 7 and 8) were purposively sampled and non-randomly assigned to the experimental (n=18) and control (n=18) groups. The experimental group attended eight 90-minute ACT sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using validated psychological scales and analyzed using MANCOVA, adjusting for baseline scores.
Results: The findings revealed that ACT led to a significant reduction in internalized shame (F=39.86, P<0.001), fear of success (F=57.27, P<0.001), and anxiety sensitivity, including its physical (F=56.55, P<0.001), cognitive (F=45.58, P<0.001), and social (F=47.41, P<0.001) dimensions. The effect sizes were large, indicating substantial improvements in the mental health of the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: ACT effectively reduces internalized shame, fear of success, and anxiety sensitivity in nursing students with IP. By fostering psychological flexibility and value-driven behavior, ACT may enhance mental health, academic resilience, and professional confidence. Integrating ACT into nursing education could support students’ psychological well-being and success.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a parallel-group design with pre-test and post-test measures. Thirty-six nursing students with IP from Tehran (Districts 7 and 8) were purposively sampled and non-randomly assigned to the experimental (n=18) and control (n=18) groups. The experimental group attended eight 90-minute ACT sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using validated psychological scales and analyzed using MANCOVA, adjusting for baseline scores.
Results: The findings revealed that ACT led to a significant reduction in internalized shame (F=39.86, P<0.001), fear of success (F=57.27, P<0.001), and anxiety sensitivity, including its physical (F=56.55, P<0.001), cognitive (F=45.58, P<0.001), and social (F=47.41, P<0.001) dimensions. The effect sizes were large, indicating substantial improvements in the mental health of the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: ACT effectively reduces internalized shame, fear of success, and anxiety sensitivity in nursing students with IP. By fostering psychological flexibility and value-driven behavior, ACT may enhance mental health, academic resilience, and professional confidence. Integrating ACT into nursing education could support students’ psychological well-being and success.
Type of Study: Orginal Article |
Subject:
● Psychosocial Health
Received: 2025/01/3 | Accepted: 2025/03/5 | Published: 2025/11/7
Received: 2025/01/3 | Accepted: 2025/03/5 | Published: 2025/11/7
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