Definitely not impossible, but I have experienced what the researcher found in her research.
My very first boyfriend, who I dated all throughout college, sincerely felt that his accomplishments didn't match mine (and I could see that it affected his self-concept and efficacy). He would make comments about how his parents bragged on me more than they bragged on him. He genuinely felt that they were more proud me and my accomplishments than his. He also felt some type of way because my college was ranked really high (so people who often ohhh and ahhh once they found out where I went to school). He told me that with all my ideas I was going to blow up and be the next Oprah and he wondered who he was going to be. What he didn't realize was that I had simply found what I like and excelled in and he was still searching for that. Everything eventually turned into a competition. I couldn't even win a game of Phase 10 without him getting a pissy attitude. We aren't together anymore, but even to this day, he is trying to live up to some standard that he thinks will out do me.
That experience made me genuinely want a husband in a different field and who is more successful than me because I can't take the above again (esp when I'm not throwing my accomplishments in his face).
My current boyfriend is HELLA supportive. As far as I can tell, he is genuinely happy for the things that I am accomplishing. However, I honestly believe that he wants a very successful partner (it makes him look good). A few of our friends from undergrad have made Forbes Top 30 under 30 lists in the past. His frat brother's girlfriend made it and I could tell by his reaction that he wants a woman like that. He is also about to be a doctor so he doesn't have much to be insecure about....