AUTHOR=Rohrmann Sonja , Bechtoldt Myriam N. , Leonhardt Mona 

TITLE=Validation of the Impostor Phenomenon among Managers

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 7 - 2016

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00821

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00821

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Following up on earlier investigations, the present research aims to validate the construct impostor phenomenon by taking personality correlates into account and to examine whether the impostor phenomenon is a construct in its own right. In addition, gender effects as well as effects on working style and stress or strain are examined. In an online study we surveyed a sample of N = 242 individuals occupying leadership positions in different sectors. Confirmatory factor analyses provide empirical evidence for the discriminant validity of the impostor phenomenon. In accord with earlier studies we show that the impostor phenomenon is accompanied by higher levels of anxiety, dysphoric moods, emotional instability and a generally negative self-evaluation. The study does not reveal any gender differences concerning the impostor phenomenon. With respect to working styles, persons with an impostor self-concept tend to show perfectionist as well as procrastinating behaviors. Moreover, they report being more stressed and strained by their work. In sum, the findings show that the impostor phenomenon constitutes a dysfunctional personality style. Practical implications are discussed.