Narcissistic Vulnerability and the Impostor Phenomenon: Toward a Developmentally Informed Model Rooted in Maladaptive Parenting

ABSTRACT Objective Drawing on developmental and personality frameworks, the present preliminary theory‐driven study examined an integrative model in which maladaptive parenting is associated with impostor feelings indirectly through narcissistic vulnerability. Background Vulnerable narcissism and the impostor phenomenon share core features of unstable self‐worth, heightened self‐doubt, and sensitivity to evaluation, yet empirical research directly linking these constructs remains scarce. Methods One hundred fifty‐one young adults (aged 25–35) provided retrospective reports on parental caregiving experiences, vulnerable narcissism, and impostor feelings. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with a single latent parenting factor was employed to examine direct and indirect pathways while accounting for relevant demographic covariates. Results Results indicated that maladaptive parenting was strongly associated with higher narcissistic vulnerability, which in turn was robustly related to impostor feelings. The indirect pathway via narcissistic vulnerability accounted for the majority of the association between maladaptive parenting and impostor feelings, with a significant indirect association through narcissistic vulnerability alongside a residual direct association when parental education was controlled. Conclusions This study offers preliminary novel support for a theoretically grounded framework positioning vulnerable narcissism as a key psychological predisposition linking maladaptive parenting to impostor feelings, thereby addressing a significant gap in the literature and informing future longitudinal research. Implications Family‐based interventions may help reduce narcissistic vulnerability and thereby mitigate the risk of persistent impostor experiences.