Family Functioning, Personality Traits, and Imposter Phenomenon in University Students

The aim of study was to determine the relationship of family functioning, personality traits, and imposter phenomena in university students. The sample comprised 400 students, recruited from one government sector and two private sector universities through purposive sampling. The data was collected by using a demographic questionnaire, Family Assessment Device – General Functioning Scale (Epstein et al., 1983), The Big Five Inventory (John et al., 1991), and Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (Clance, 1985). The questionnaires were administered after taking informed consent from the participants. The results revealed that personality traits such as conscientiousness, and neuroticism were significantly related to imposter phenomena while among the covariates number of semester and family income were significantly related with imposterism. Family income and neuroticism were significant predictors of imposterism among university students. Moreover, family functioning is likely to moderate the relationship between personality trait (openness to experiences) and imposter phenomena. It could be concluded that individuals with unhealthy family functioning and higher neuroticism will experience more imposterism so psychotherapy such as family therapy and cognitive behavior therapy could be provided to reduce experience of negative emotional states in university students.