Do I Belong Here? Impostor Phenomenon, Well-Being and Purpose at Work: A Mediation Analysis

Imposter phenomenon is the experience of intellectual or occupational fraudulence despite evidence of success and represents an avoidant approach to goal setting. By contrast, purpose represents the motivation to pursue highly-valued life goals and is strongly associated with increased well-being. We hypothesised that impostor phenomenon would be negatively related to well-being; and that purpose at work would partially mediate this relationship. Participants (N=129; 62% female) completed a survey which included measures of purpose at work, impostor phenomenon, and well-being. As hypothesised, increased impostor phenomenon was negatively associated with well-being. Purpose at work partially mediated this relationship resulting in decreased impostor phenomenon and increased eudemonic but not hedonic well-being. We provide support for previous studies which link impostor phenomenon to an avoidant approach to goal setting by inhibiting the use of active coping strategies. We encourage future interventions which aim to reduce imposter phenomenon and foster more purpose among working professionals.