The Impostor Phenomenon and Achievement Motivation Among Emerging Filipino Adults: The Moderating Role of Personality

Abstract

The impostor phenomenon (IP) has traditionally been understood as a trait or experience common among accomplished individuals, with most studies focusing on Western populations. This research broadens the discourse by examining IP among Emerging Filipino Adults (EFAs) aged 18 to 25, a relatively underexplored group navigating the transition into adulthood. Specifically, the study investigates the prevalence of impostor experiences in this demographic, their relationship to achievement motivation, and the moderating role of personality traits. Examined through standardized measures on impostor experiences, motivation, and personality, data from a large sample of EFAs revealed that impostor feelings are frequent in this group. Results show that impostor experiences are closely tied to achievement-related tasks, particularly those driven by fear of failure rather than hope for success. Furthermore, the personality trait of neuroticism intensifies the link between impostor experiences and motivation, highlighting how dispositional factors interact with contextual pressures to shape these experiences. These findings suggest that impostor feelings are not merely the byproduct of significant accomplishments but can emerge early in adulthood, sustained by both internal traits and external achievement demands. The study underscores the need to view the impostor phenomenon as both dispositional and contextual, opening new directions for interventions, institutional practices, and further research on non-Western populations.