Exploring the Relationship between Impostor Syndrome and Perfectionism among University Students in Nigeria

Abstract

Impostor syndrome, characterized by persistent self-doubt and feelings of intellectual fraudulence, has been linked globally to perfectionism and poor psychological well-being, yet little is known about these dynamics among Nigerian undergraduates. This study investigated the prevalence of impostor syndrome, assessed levels of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, examined their interrelationship, and explored gender differences in these constructs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 224 undergraduate students at the University of Lagos, selected through random sampling across three faculties. Data were collected using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) and the Hewitt and Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and analysed with descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and independent-samples t-tests. Findings showed that more than half of respondents (54.5%) experienced frequent to intense impostor feelings, alongside high levels of both adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism. Impostor syndrome was positively associated with overall perfectionism (r = 0.57, p < 0.05), with the strongest link observed for maladaptive perfectionism (r = 0.61, p < 0.01). Female students reported significantly higher impostor scores than males (p = 0.038), although perfectionism levels did not differ by gender. The results demonstrate that impostor syndrome is highly prevalent among Nigerian undergraduates and closely tied to maladaptive perfectionism, with female students being particularly vulnerable. These findings highlight the need for contextually tailored institutional interventions to reduce impostor feelings, address maladaptive perfectionism, and promote psychological well-being and academic success in Nigerian higher education.