Exploring Childhood Experiences In Relation to Impostor Tendencies In Young Adults

This qualitative research paper will focus on the effects of childhood experiences on the formation of impostor syndrome among young adults. The study is based on the narrative interviews of 15 participants (20-30 olds), defining the main themes that explain how success-related messages early-in-life play a role in developing impostor feelings. There are other five coping themes that depict how the participants handle self-doubt and rebuild self-trust. The results provide a perspective on the role played by perfectionism, conditional validation and suppressed vulnerability in childhood in shaping adult impostorism. The implications cut across mental health support, education and mentoring at work place.