When worrying helps impostors cope: Metacognitive beliefs associated with impostor phenomenon and psychological well-being

• Main Author: Gale, Mark Lawrence Q
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2021
• Subjects: Metacognition; Impostor phenomenon; Well-being; Mental health; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_psych/22; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1021&context=etdm_psych
• Institution: De La Salle University

The impostor phenomenon (IP) has been linked to lower psychological well-being (PWB) yet metacognitive mechanisms involved in its development and maintenance are not yet explored. The present study aimed to: (a) investigate the metacognitive beliefs (MCB) associated with IP and PWB, and (b) corroborate the negative relationship between IP and PWB. A sample of postgraduate students answered the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (RPWBS). Hierarchical regression analysis results provided partial support to the two hypotheses. Results indicate that negative beliefs about the uncontrollability and danger of one’s thoughts (MCQ-NB), and cognitive confidence (MCQ-CC) were significant IP predictors. As for the PWB dimensions, IP emerged as a significant predictor of self-acceptance and autonomy. Positive relations with others was independently predicted by MCQ-NB and IP, while environmental mastery can be uniquely explained by positive beliefs about worry (MCQ-PB) and IP. Lastly, personal growth was significantly predicted by MCQ-CC and cognitive self-consciousness (MCQ-CSC). These findings provide relative support to the self-regulatory executive function (S-REF) model and the negative consequences of IP on one’s PWB. Explanations of these findings are discussed, as well as the implications on using metacognitive therapy to address IP and low PWB.