Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Adolescent Identity Development: Impostorism and Parentification

Publication Date

Fall 11-24-2025

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Abigail Heller

Presentation Type

Metadata Only

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical stage for identity development in which young people begin to define their values, goals, and sense of self. Family relationships play a pivotal role in the process of identity development, particularly when adolescents take on adult roles and responsibilities. This role reversal, known as parentification, can foster maturity and competence, but also stress, boundary issues, and self-doubt (Minuchin et al., 1967). Such self-doubt is similar to impostorism, which is the persistent feeling of inadequacy or fear of being a fraud despite evidence of success (Leary et al., 2000). The present study aimed to investigate how experiences of parentification in adolescence is related to impostorism in emerging adults. In this study, emerging adults with siblings (N= 49, Mage = 25.20) filled out an online survey through Prolific that measured demographics, parentification, and impostorism. Results conveyed that greater parentification was not significantly correlated with higher levels of impostorism. This research and further exploration of this topic can help understand issues regarding identity in adolescence and help predict the development of impostorism in later stages.

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