The imposter phenomenon and maladaptive personality: type and trait characteristics

The current study examined the relationship between the imposter phenomenon as measured by the Harvey Imposter Phenomenon (HIP) scale and personality pathology as conceptualized by the DSM-III-R. We found that DSM-III-R personality disorder scales accounted for 30% of the variance in the imposter phenomenon (IP) and were best characterized by cluster C Avoidant and Dependent type characteristics. Further, trait and temperament scales of the Schedule of Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP) accounted for 40% of the variance in IP. The top three trait and temperament predictors of IP were Detachment (+), Dependency (+), and Entitlement (−). In addition, Mistrust (+), Workaholism (+), and the Low Self-Esteem subscale of Self-Harm also contributed unique variance in predicting IP scores. These results provide additional evidence for the construct validity of IP as a maladaptive personality style which emphasizes a pervasive sense of inferiority, fear, and self-deprecation.