IMPOSTER PHENOMENON: ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PERSONALITY TRAITS AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG STUDENTS - AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Uzma Zafar; Zaima Ali; Fahum Akhter; Noor Ul Huda; Ayesha Ali; Amna Zulfiqar

doi:10.46903/gjms/22.4.suppl.1412

IMPOSTER PHENOMENON: ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PERSONALITY TRAITS AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG STUDENTS - AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Uzma Zafar, Zaima Ali, Fahum Akhter, Noor Ul Huda, Ayesha Ali, Amna Zulfiqar

Abstract

Background: Imposter phenomenon is defined as a self- doubt of accomplishments among high achievers. This study was conducted to determine the frequency and association of imposter phenomenon with self-esteem, personality characteristics and gender among medical and allied health under graduates of a private medical college in Pakistan.

Materials and Methods: This was an observational study conducted at Lahore Medical & Dental College and Lahore College of Physical Therapy. The study was approved by the institutional review board. Target population of the study included students of medical, dental and physical therapy of all the professional years. Study tool was a questionnaire comprising of 4 sections; section 1 was based upon demographic information, section 2 “Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale” (CIPS), section 3 “Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale” and section 4 “Ten Item Personality Inventory”. Study questionnaire was distributed to 900 students, out of which 833 filled and returned. Response rate was 92%. Data analysis was done with SPSS 27 version.

Results: Out of total 833 participants 28.8% (240) were males and 71.2% (593) females. On the basis of CIPS, 50.4% (420) participants were imposter negative having few imposter feelings (CIPS ≤60), 44.8% (373) were having significant imposter feelings (CIPS score: 61-80) and 4.7% (40) exhibited severe imposter experiences (CIPS >80). Prevalence of imposter phenomenon in the participants was 49.5% (413/833). There was significant negative association between imposter phenomenon and self-esteem (p=0.006), extraversion (p=0.000) and conscientiousness (p=0.042). Probability of imposter phenomenon was significantly higher (p=0.002) in females as compared to the males and in the elderly age group.

Conclusion: The prevalence of imposter phenomenon was 49.5% and low self-esteem 19.7%. The imposter phenomenon was significantly associated with low scores in self-esteem, conscientiousness, and extraversion, as well as with gender and older age groups.

Keywords

Imposter phenomenon; Self-esteem; Social behavior; Self-efficacy; Personality.

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46903/gjms/22.4.suppl.1412