METACOGNITIVE BELIEFS AS DETERMINANT OF IMPOSTOR PHENOMENON AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

  • Hira Mukhtar Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi
  • Nasreen Bano Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi
  • Salman Shahzad Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi
Keywords: Metacognitive skills, impostor phenomenon, mental health problems, University students

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of current research is to explore the association between metacognitive skills and impostor phenomenon in University students. 

 

BACKGROUND: Dysfunctional metacognitions include in the etiological factor of mental health problems[1]. Metacognitions have importance to maintain and increases worry and anxiety[2]. Likewise, same approach plays important role in the development of impostor phenomenon which also involves anxiety and worries related to self-doubt, and leading an individual mental health difficulties and maladaptive coping mechanisms.

 

STUDY DESIGN

Quantitative Survey design

 

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Present study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan from July- September, 2016.

 

SAMPLE AND METHOD: The convenient sampling was employed to recruit the sample of 199 (85 males and 114 females) university students, age ranging from 18 to 25 years (Mean=20.52, SD=1.52) from different Universities of Karachi, Pakistan.

MEASURES: To assess the variables Well’s Metacognitive Beliefs Questionnaire[3] and Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale [4] were used.

RESULTS: The findings indicated that metacognitive beliefs significantly predict impostor phenomenon (R2= .283, F=15.316, p<.01) particularly “negative beliefs about uncontrollability and danger of worry” (t= 2.60, P <0.05), “Cognitive Control” (t= 2.19, P <0.05), and “need for control” (t= 1.99, P< 0.05) significantly associated with impostor phenomenon.

CONCLUSION: It is summarize that metacognitive skills play significant role in the development of fear related to success and impostor syndrome which can further lead to towards psychological distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms. Considering the findings implications and future directions have been suggested.

KEYWORDS

Metacognitive skills, impostor phenomenon, mental health problems.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1 Cotter, J., Yung, A. R., Carney, R., & Drake, R. J. (2017). Metacognitive beliefs in the at-risk mental state: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 90, 25–31.
2 Spada, M. M., Mohiyeddini, C., & Wells, A. (2008). Measuring metacognitions associated with emotional distress: Factor structure and predictive validity of the metacognitions questionnaire 30. Personality and Individual differences, 45(3), 238-242.
3 Wells, A., & Cartwright-Hatton, S. (2004). A short form of the Metacognitions Questionnaire: Properties of the MCQ-30. Behaviour research and therapy, 42(4), 385-396.
4 Clance, P. R. (1985). The impostor phenomenon: Overcoming the fear that haunts your success (Vol. 209). Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers.
5 Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive–developmental inquiry. American psychologist, 34(10), 906.
6 Wells, A. (2011). Metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression. Guilford press.
7 Wells, A. (2002). Emotional Disorders and Metacognition.: Innovative Cognitive Therapy. John Wiley & Sons.
8 Fergus, T. A., Valentiner, D. P., McGrath, P. B., Gier-Lonsway, S., & Jencius, S. (2013). The cognitive attentional syndrome: examining relations with mood and anxiety symptoms and distinctiveness from psychological inflexibility in a clinical sample. Psychiatry research, 210(1), 215-219.
9 Wells, A., & Matthews, G. (1996). Modelling cognition in emotional disorder: The S-REF model. Behaviour research and therapy, 34(11-12), 881-888.
10 Fergus, T. A., Bardeen, J. R., & Orcutt, H. K. (2012). Attentional control moderates the relationship between activation of the cognitive attentional syndrome and symptoms of psychopathology. Personality and Individual Differences, 53(3), 213-217.
11 Salmani, B., & Hasani, J. (2013). Cognitive attentional syndrome (cas) & cognitive emotion regulation strategies: Transdiagnostic processes or diagnostic based on mood & anxiety disorders.
12 Kolubinski, D. C., Nikčević, A. V., Lawrence, J. A., & Spada, M. M. (2016). The role of metacognition in self-critical rumination: An investigation in individuals presenting with low self-esteem. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 34(1), 73-85.
13 McEvoy, P. M., Mahoney, A., Perini, S. J., & Kingsep, P. (2009). Changes in post-event processing and metacognitions during cognitive behavioral group therapy for social phobia. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(5), 617-623.
14 Akkuş, K., & Yılmaz, A. E. (2020). The Role of Metacognitions on the Relationship Between Adult Attachment and Mood Symptoms in Individuals with Obesity. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 1-13.
15 Ashrafifard, S., & Mafakheri, A. (2017). Investigating the relationship between attribution styles and metacognitive skills with fear of success among students. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, In Press.
16 Vergauwe, J., Wille, B., Feys, M., De Fruyt, F., & Anseel, F. (2015). Fear of being exposed: The trait-relatedness of the impostor phenomenon and its relevance in the work context. Journal of Business and Psychology, 30(3), 565-581.

17 Neureiter, M., & Traut-Mattausch, E. (2016). An inner barrier to career development: Preconditions of the impostor phenomenon and consequences for career development. Frontiers in psychology, 7, 48.
18 Zanchetta, M., Junker, S., Wolf, A. M., & Traut-Mattausch, E. (2020). “Overcoming the Fear That Haunts Your Success”–The Effectiveness of Interventions for Reducing the Impostor Phenomenon. Frontiers in Psychology, 11.
19 Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241.
20 Li, S., Hughes, J. L., & Thu, S. M. (2014). The Links Between Parenting Styles and Imposter Phenomenon. Psi chi journal of psychological research, 19(2).
21 Blondeau, L. A., & Awad, G. H. (2018). The relation of the impostor phenomenon to future intentions of mathematics-related school and work. Journal of Career Development, 45(3), 253-267.
22 Gravois, J. (2007). You're Not Fooling Anyone. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(11).
23 Tavakolizadeh, J., Tabari, J., & Akbari, A. (2015). Academic self-efficacy: predictive role of attachment styles and meta-cognitive skills. Procedia-Social and behavioral sciences, 171(16), 113-120.
24 De Jong-Meyer, R., Beck, B., & Riede, K. (2009). Relationships between rumination, worry, intolerance of uncertainty and metacognitive beliefs. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(4), 547-551.
25 Abu-al-Qasimi, A., Ahmadi, M., & Kiyamersi, A., (2007). The relationship of metacognition and perfectionism with psychological consequences in the addicts. Journal of Research in Behavioural Sciences, 5(2), 73-79.
26 Carciofo, R., Song, N., Du, F., Wang, M. M., & Zhang, K. (2017). Metacognitive beliefs mediate the relationship between mind wandering and negative affect. Personality and Individual Differences, 107, 78-87.
27 Kannis-Dymand, L., Hughes, E., Mulgrew, K., Carter, J. D., & Love, S. (2020). Examining the roles of metacognitive beliefs and maladaptive aspects of perfectionism in depression and anxiety. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 1-12.
28 Rackley, K. R. (2018). Examining the role of impostor phenomenon in the college experience (Doctoral dissertation). Cited on https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/68447/RACKLEY-DISSERTATION-2018.pdf?sequence=1
29 Rohrmann, S., Bechtoldt, M. N., & Leonhardt, M. (2016). Validation of the impostor phenomenon among managers. Frontiers in psychology, 7, 821.
30 Bravata, D. M., Watts, S. A., Keefer, A. L., Madhusudhan, D. K., Taylor, K. T., Clark, D. M., & Hagg, H. K. (2019). Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: A systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 1-24.
Published
2024-09-28
How to Cite
1.
Mukhtar H, Bano N, Shahzad S. METACOGNITIVE BELIEFS AS DETERMINANT OF IMPOSTOR PHENOMENON AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN. J Pak Psychiatr Soc [Internet]. 2024Sep.28 [cited 2024Oct.4];21(03). Available from: https://jpps.pk/index.php/journal/article/view/322