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JRUMS 2026, 24(12): 1133-1148 |
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Baharloo H, Yousefi S, Doustipoor F, Bagheri Sheykhangafshe F, Farahani H. The Effectiveness of Study Strategies Training on Research Self-Efficacy, Cognitive Fusion, and Resilience among Nursing Students with Impostor Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study. JRUMS 2026; 24 (12) :1133-1148
URL: http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-1-7880-en.html
URL: http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-1-7880-en.html
Hiva Baharloo 
, Sara Yousefi , Fariborz Doustipoor , Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe , Hojjatollah Farahani
, Sara Yousefi , Fariborz Doustipoor , Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe , Hojjatollah Farahani
M.A in General Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Keywords: Impostor syndrome, Research self-efficacy, Cognitive fusion, Resilience, Study strategies training
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The Effectiveness of Study Strategies Training on Research Self-Efficacy, Cognitive Fusion, and Resilience among Nursing Students with Impostor Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe[1], Soofia Heidari[2], Fariborz Doustipoor[3], Mostafa Asgari Tapeh[4], Hojjatollah Farahani[5]
Received: 03/11/25 Sent for Revision: 23/11/25 Received Revised Manuscript: 07/03/26 Accepted: 08/03/26
Background and Objectives: Imposter syndrome can negatively affect the academic, motivational, and psychological capacities of nursing students. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of study strategies training on research self-efficacy, cognitive fusion, and resilience among nursing students with imposter syndrome.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test/post-test design with an experimental and a control group. The statistical population included nursing students at Islamic Azad University, Tehran Province, in 2024–2025. A total of 36 students who scored above 55 on the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=18) or control group (n=18). Data were collected using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale, Research Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The experimental group received eight 90-minute weekly sessions of study skills training, while the control group did not receive any intervention during the study period; after completion, a brief summary of the training content was provided to them. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance.
Results: Training in study strategies significantly increased practical skills (F=68.96), writing skills (F=30.61), research design skills (F=64.77), computer skills (F=56.25), and resilience (F=61.15), while significantly reducing cognitive fusion (F=82.91) (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Overall, the study demonstrated that study skills training enhanced research self-efficacy and resilience and reduced cognitive fusion in nursing students with impostor syndrome. It is recommended that study skills training alongside counseling services be used to promote mental health, strengthen resilience, and improve students’ research performance.
Keywords: Impostor syndrome, Research self-efficacy, Cognitive fusion, Resilience, Study strategies training
Funding: This study did not have any funds.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical considerations: The Ethics Committee of Tarbiat Modares University approved the study (IR.MODARES.REC.1402.001).
Authors’ contributions:
- Conceptualization: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Soofia Heidari
- Methodology: Mostafa Asgari Tapeh, Hojjatollah Farahani
- Data collection: Mostafa Asgari Tapeh, Fariborz Doustipoor
- Formal analysis: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe
- Supervision: Hojjatollah Farahani
- Project administration: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Hojjatollah Farahani
- Writing – original draft: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Soofia Heidari
- Writing – review & editing: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe
(Corresponding Author) Tel: (021) 82885048, E-mail: farzinbagheri@modares.ac.ir
Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe[1], Soofia Heidari[2], Fariborz Doustipoor[3], Mostafa Asgari Tapeh[4], Hojjatollah Farahani[5]
Received: 03/11/25 Sent for Revision: 23/11/25 Received Revised Manuscript: 07/03/26 Accepted: 08/03/26
Background and Objectives: Imposter syndrome can negatively affect the academic, motivational, and psychological capacities of nursing students. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of study strategies training on research self-efficacy, cognitive fusion, and resilience among nursing students with imposter syndrome.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test/post-test design with an experimental and a control group. The statistical population included nursing students at Islamic Azad University, Tehran Province, in 2024–2025. A total of 36 students who scored above 55 on the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=18) or control group (n=18). Data were collected using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale, Research Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The experimental group received eight 90-minute weekly sessions of study skills training, while the control group did not receive any intervention during the study period; after completion, a brief summary of the training content was provided to them. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance.
Results: Training in study strategies significantly increased practical skills (F=68.96), writing skills (F=30.61), research design skills (F=64.77), computer skills (F=56.25), and resilience (F=61.15), while significantly reducing cognitive fusion (F=82.91) (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Overall, the study demonstrated that study skills training enhanced research self-efficacy and resilience and reduced cognitive fusion in nursing students with impostor syndrome. It is recommended that study skills training alongside counseling services be used to promote mental health, strengthen resilience, and improve students’ research performance.
Keywords: Impostor syndrome, Research self-efficacy, Cognitive fusion, Resilience, Study strategies training
Funding: This study did not have any funds.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical considerations: The Ethics Committee of Tarbiat Modares University approved the study (IR.MODARES.REC.1402.001).
Authors’ contributions:
- Conceptualization: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Soofia Heidari
- Methodology: Mostafa Asgari Tapeh, Hojjatollah Farahani
- Data collection: Mostafa Asgari Tapeh, Fariborz Doustipoor
- Formal analysis: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe
- Supervision: Hojjatollah Farahani
- Project administration: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Hojjatollah Farahani
- Writing – original draft: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Soofia Heidari
- Writing – review & editing: Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe
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Citation: Bagheri Sheykhangafshe F, Heidari S, Doustipoor F, Asgari Tapeh M, Farahani H. The Effectiveness of Study Strategies Training on Research Self-Efficacy, Cognitive Fusion, and Resilience among Nursing Students with Impostor Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2026; 24 (12): 1133-48. [Farsi]
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[1]- PhD, Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran, ORCID: 0000-0002-3435-3870
(Corresponding Author) Tel: (021) 82885048, E-mail: farzinbagheri@modares.ac.ir
[2]- PhD in Educational Psychology, Dept. of Psychology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran
[3]- MA in General Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
[4]- PhD Student in Psychology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
[5]- Associate Prof., Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Psychiatry
Received: 2025/11/2 | Accepted: 2026/05/11 | Published: 2026/05/20
Received: 2025/11/2 | Accepted: 2026/05/11 | Published: 2026/05/20
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