IMPOSTER SYNDROME AND GRIT AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS:absttract

Background: Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern of self-doubt in great achievers who struggle to absorb their successes, have unjustified and ongoing self-doubt, and worry about being exposed as a liar or imposter. It describes an individual who is high achieving yet fails to recognize their success as being earned, but instead attributes it to external factors such as networking, luck, timing, lowering standards, and their charm. Aim & Objectives: This study aimed to (1) find out the association between imposter syndrome and grit and (2) to assess the mediating role of fear of failure between imposter syndrome and grit. Method: This study used a quantitative research design correlational in nature. Clance Imposter phenomenon scale (Pauline Rose Clance, 1985), Short Grit Scale (Duckworth & Quinn, 2009) and Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (David E. Conroy, 2003) were being used in the study as tools for data collection. 100 college students constituted sample for this study (age range between 18 25 years). Sample were selected from Central University of South Bihar, Gaya and Patna University, Patna through stratified systematic sampling. Result: The result of the study show that there is a significant negative correlation between imposter syndrome and grit (r = -.485** pd”.01) and that the relationship between imposter syndrome and grit is significantly fully mediated by fear of failure (R2=.877, pd”.001). Conclusion: This study provides the theoretical knowledge regarding imposter syndrome also helps in identification of factors that will contribute to student’s positivism and self confidence and development of intervention plan for the improvement of mental health and self-confidence.