WHEN PERFECTIONISM BECOMES SELF-EVALUATIVE: RUMINATION, NEED FOR APPROVAL, AND THE IMPOSTOR PHENOMENON AMONG PAKISTANI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The impostor phenomenon reflects a persistent inability to fully internalize achievement, often leaving capable individuals with enduring doubts about their competence despite objective evidence of success. Although perfectionism has frequently been linked with impostor experiences, treating perfectionism as a single, undifferentiated construct can obscure the psychological processes that are most closely involved. This study examines the relationship between impostor phenomenon and multidimensional perfectionism among university students in Pakistan, with particular attention to the distinction between self-evaluative and more conscientious forms of perfectionism. A sample of 196 undergraduate students from a university in Lahore, Pakistan was used to fill out the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) and Perfectionism Inventory (PI). Pearson correlation analysis indicated strong positive relationships existed between IP and perfectionism overall, with self-evaluative perfectionism dimensions (concern over mistakes, need for approval, rumination) having the highest correlation and organization and planfulness dimensions having the lowest. Multiple regression analysis showed that rumination and need for approval were the only factors that were significant predictors of IP. There was no gender differences in the scores found with regards to IP. The results indicate that self-evaluative perfectionism associated with the desire to please others rather than be conscientious to conform to standards is the most important determinant of impostor syndrome among students. Overall, the study refines the understanding of perfectionism in relation to impostor phenomenon by showing that its maladaptive, self-evaluative features appear to be more consequential than perfectionism as a broad personality tendency. These findings extend evidence from an underrepresented Pakistani context and support future research focused on culturally informed, longitudinal, and intervention-oriented approaches to rumination, approval dependence, and self-evaluative perfectionism.