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Kudapa D, Klaver SJ, Peterson R, Burr EK, De Leon AN, Leary AV, Maynard MH, Hayden ER, Kramer MP, Dvorak RD. A Deviance Regulation Theory Intervention Affects the Association Between Narcissistic Traits and Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategies in College Students. Subst Use Misuse 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38831657 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2360108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Background: College students continue to report problematic alcohol use. To mitigate adverse outcomes, recent studies have employed harm reduction strategies known as Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS). Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT), an impression management intervention, has been used to promote the use of PBS. DRT relies on impression management to modify behavior. This may be especially important for individuals with higher levels of trait narcissism. Method: College student drinkers (n = 132) were randomly assigned to receive a positive message about PBS users, a negative message about non-PBS users, or control. Participants reported on current PBS use norms, daily alcohol use, PBS use, and any alcohol-related problems experienced during the previous week for the next 10 weeks. Results: Data were analyzed using multilevel regression to examine PBS use across time by condition. When PBS norms were low, narcissism was strongly associated with lower rates of PBS use in the control group. If individuals received a positive or negative message, the association between narcissism and PBS use was diminished, among individuals with low PBS norms. There were no significant differences at mean or high levels of norms, indicating the messaging was only important for the highest risk group (i.e., those with low PBS norms). Discussion: The results of this study suggest that message framing may be effective at reducing the robust negative association between narcissism and PBS use for individuals with low PBS norms. Positive messages about individuals that use PBS may be one approach to mitigating problematic alcohol consumption in this at-risk group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Kudapa
- University of Central Florida Medical School, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Samantha J Klaver
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Roselyn Peterson
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Emily K Burr
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Ardhys N De Leon
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Angelina V Leary
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Madison H Maynard
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Emma R Hayden
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | | | - Robert D Dvorak
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
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Szymczak P, Talbot D, Gritti ES, Jonason PK. Narcissus' belief about his body: Aspects of narcissism, body image, and eating disorder symptoms. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293578. [PMID: 37943826 PMCID: PMC10635534 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Narcissism may play a role in shaping body image concerns. Here we examined the relationships between narcissism (i.e., agentic extraversion, antagonism, narcissistic neuroticism, leadership/authority, exhibitionism/entitlement) and body image concerns and disturbances (i.e., drive for thinness, drive for muscularity, eating disorder symptoms, body mass index, current/desired fat, and current/desired muscularity). METHODS Mechanical Turk workers from the USA (N = 430; 64% male) completed the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Drive for Muscularity Scale, the Drive for Thinness Scale, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-Short, and the Sex-Specific Somatomorphic Matrixes. RESULTS All narcissistic factors were associated with a greater drive for thinness (except for leadership/authority) and for muscularity, more eating disorder symptoms, a greater desired body fat (except for leadership/authority), and a greater current muscularity. Greater agentic extraversion and exhibitionism/entitlement were associated with lower levels of current body fat, and greater antagonism was associated with a greater desired muscularity. DISCUSSION Notably, individual differences in narcissism appeared to be important in understanding body image concerns, broadly speaking. We found that narcissism may be associated with body image concerns among both sexes differently, and especially that drive for thinness was more related to narcissism in men. Our results emphasize the importance of narcissism in formulating and treating body image-related disorders for both men and women. Ultimately, narcissistic features of personality may be risk factors for developing and perpetuating body image concerns, and therefore should be considered in assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and treatment of eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Szymczak
- Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Talbot
- Department of Psychiatry, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
- University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia
| | | | - Peter K. Jonason
- Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Yang D, Wu TY, Atkin DJ, Ríos DI, Liu Y. Social media portrait-editing intentions: Comparisons between Chinese and American female college students. TELEMATICS AND INFORMATICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2021.101714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Pavanello Decaro S, Di Sarno M, Anzani A, Di Pierro R, Prunas A. Narcissistic Personality Traits and Sexual Dysfunction in Women: The Role of Body Image Self-Consciousness. J Sex Med 2021; 18:1891-1898. [PMID: 37057480 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with narcissistic traits, specifically vulnerable ones, are more prone to experiencing concerns related to self-worth and physical appearance and to showing heightened sensitivity to appearance evaluation. Negative body image and body image self-consciousness may, in turn, undermine sexual functioning, especially when apprehension is related to body appearance in sexual contexts. METHODS We aimed to evaluate the associations between self-reported pathological narcissistic traits, both grandiose and vulnerable, and sexual functioning in a large sample of nonclinical women (N = 656). Furthermore, we tested the mediating role of body image self-consciousness in these associations. OUTCOMES Sexual functioning was measured through the Female Sexual Function Index. RESULTS The results highlight that vulnerable narcissistic traits are associated with lower sexual functioning, this association being mediated by higher levels of body image self-consciousness. Conversely, grandiose narcissistic traits are linked to lower body image self-consciousness and, consequently, higher levels of sexual functioning. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Considering the link between body image self-consciousness and sexuality is of utmost importance in clinical practice with women, as well as in promoting positive body appreciation. Clinicians working with individuals presenting with pathological personality traits should consider including an assessment of their sexual functioning. S Pavanello Decaro, M Di Sarno, A Anzani, et al. Narcissistic Personality Traits and Sexual Dysfunction in Women: The Role of Body Image Self-Consciousness. J Sex Med 2021;18:1891-1898.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Pavanello Decaro
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Edificio U6, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Marco Di Sarno
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Edificio U6, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Annalisa Anzani
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Edificio U6, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Pierro
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Edificio U6, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Antonio Prunas
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Edificio U6, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
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Hater L, Schulte J, Geukes K, Buhlmann U, Back MD. Disentangling the contributions of agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism to drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253187. [PMID: 34129626 PMCID: PMC8205145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Body image concerns revolving around body ideals (thin ideal, muscular ideal) are widespread among women. Whereas a stronger preoccupation with ideal physical appearance is often assumed for narcissistic women, previous empirical findings have been mixed. Following a tripartite structure of agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism facets, we reexamined whether trait narcissism predicted drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. We further explored the role of importance of appearance as a mediator and moderator of the relation between narcissism and body image concerns. Latent structural equation modeling was applied to self-report data from two independent nonclinical female samples (NSample1 = 224, NSample2 = 342). Results underlined the importance of distinguishing between narcissism facets: Neurotic (but not agentic or antagonistic) narcissism uniquely predicted drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. Importance of appearance mediated but did not robustly moderate these relations. Hence, neurotic narcissistic women (characterized by hypersensitivity, shame, and a fragile self-esteem) are particularly prone to body image concerns. This vulnerability seems partly driven by how much importance they ascribe to their appearance. Future work might build on these insights to further unravel the processes linking neurotic narcissism to body image concerns and how these can be targeted in practical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Hater
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Johanna Schulte
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Katharina Geukes
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrike Buhlmann
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mitja D. Back
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Boursier V, Gioia F. Women's Pathological Narcissism and its Relationship with Social Appearance Anxiety: The Mediating Role of Body Shame. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2020; 17:164-174. [PMID: 34908988 PMCID: PMC8662714 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20200304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Attention to personal appearance and observers' judgments are integral components of narcissism. However, empirical evidence focused on the association between grandiose/vulnerable traits of narcissism and social appearance anxieties is limited. Moreover, body shame represents a topic of debated interest in the field of narcissism and women's experience of self-consciousness. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the unexplored relationship between covert and overt facets of pathological narcissism and social appearance anxiety, analyzing the mediating role of objectified body shame. METHOD Pathological vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, social appearance anxiety and body shame were assessed in a convenience sample of 775 young women (M=24.1, SD=4.52). RESULTS Body shame fully mediated the association between pathological narcissism and social appearance anxiety, especially for vulnerable narcissists' women. CONCLUSIONS As expected, vulnerable narcissism had a positive association with social appearance anxieties, and body shame acted as a mediating risky factor. Moreover, as hypothesized and differently from recent findings, also overt narcissism was related to body shame and appearance anxieties. These findings suggest that feelings of shame are essential to deeper understand the narcissistic core features and outcomes. Research and clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Boursier
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples “Federico II” Via Porta di Massa, 1 - 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples “Federico II” Via Porta di Massa, 1 - 80133 Naples, Italy
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Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism as Predictors of the Tendency to Objectify Other People. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-019-00569-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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