Date

8-6-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Jeffrey McCarthy

Keywords

imposter phenomenon, adverse childhood experience, adversity, age, moderation, Clance Imposter Phenomenon scale

Disciplines

Counseling

Abstract

The imposter phenomenon comprises a set of emotions, cognitions, and behaviors occurring throughout the lifespan of an individual to protect against feelings of inadequacy. The consequences of the imposter phenomenon are significant to both individuals and the organization they work for, as it can cause significant emotional fatigue and burnout. These consequences include anxiety, depression, isolation, burnout, and job abandonment. Throughout decades of research, there have been mixed results regarding the causes of the imposter phenomenon. A possible commonality among these causes of the imposter phenomenon is childhood adversity. The sample used in this study was adults between the ages of 18 and 60-years-old and were gathered through various sites. Participants were asked to fill out an online survey which included demographics, the Adverse Childhood Experiences scale, and the Clance Imposter Phenomenon scale. This study used a correlational survey-based design to find a relationship between childhood adversity and the development of the imposter phenomenon. Age was used as a moderator because previous research indicated that the frequency of imposter symptoms declines significantly after 39 years of age. The results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between childhood adversity and the imposter phenomenon and that age moderates this relationship.

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