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Day NJS, Green A, Denmeade G, Bach B, Grenyer BFS. Narcissistic personality disorder in the ICD-11: Severity and trait profiles of grandiosity and vulnerability. J Clin Psychol 2024; 80:1917-1936. [PMID: 38742471 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Modern diagnostic and classification frameworks such as the ICD-11 and DSM-5-AMPD have adopted a dimensional approach to diagnosing personality disorder using a dual "severity" and "trait" model. As narcissistic personality has historically struggled to be adequately captured in dominant diagnostic systems, this study investigated the utility of the new ICD-11 framework in capturing diverse narcissistic expressions. Participants were mental health clinicians (N = 180, 67% female, age = 38.9), who completed ratings of ICD-11 personality severity, trait domains and a clinical reflection for two hypothetical case vignettes reflecting either prototypical "grandiose" or "vulnerable" narcissism. The majority of clinicians (82%) endorsed a diagnosis of personality disorder for both grandiose and vulnerable vignettes. Discriminant elements of personality impairment included rigid, unrealistically positive self-view, low empathy and high conflict with others for grandiosity, and incoherent identity, low self-esteem and hypervigilant, avoidant relations with others for vulnerability. Regarding trait profile, grandiose narcissism was predominately dissocial whereas vulnerable narcissism was primarily associated with negative affectivity and detachment. Qualitative responses highlight distinct clinical themes for each presentation. These findings suggest that clinicians using the ICD-11 framework are able to identify common core elements of personality dysfunction in grandiose and vulnerable narcissism while also recognizing their distinctive differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J S Day
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ava Green
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Georgia Denmeade
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bo Bach
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Services, Center for Personality Disorder Research, Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - Brin F S Grenyer
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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2
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Hildebrandt MK, Noack J, Wuellhorst R, Endrass T, Jauk E. Impulsivity mediates the association between narcissism and substance-related problems beyond the degree of substance use: a longitudinal observational study. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:280. [PMID: 38622531 PMCID: PMC11017556 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05718-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Narcissism has been implied as a putative risk factor for substance use disorders (SUDs). However, previous research did not disentangle the degree of substance use from substance-related problems, the symptoms of SUDs. This preregistered study addressed the open question whether grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and their constituent traits convey specific SUD risk, that is, explain substance-related problems beyond the degree of use. Furthermore, we tested whether impulsivity or substance use motives linked to narcissistic self-regulation mediate this association. METHODS Narcissism, impulsivity, substance use motives, past-year substance use, and substance-related problems were assessed in 139 (poly-)substance users, 121 of whom completed a one-year follow-up. For significant longitudinal associations between narcissism factors and substance-related problems controlled for the degree of use, we tested impulsivity and substance use motives as mediators. RESULTS Grandiose narcissism (r =.24, p =.007) and its constituent factors antagonistic (r =.27, p =.003) and agentic narcissism (r =.18, p =.050), but not vulnerable narcissism, prospectively predicted substance-related problems beyond the degree of substance use. Associations of grandiose narcissism and antagonistic narcissism with substance-related problems were fully mediated by impulsivity, but not substance use motives. Impulsivity explained roughly one third of the association of both grandiose (P̂M = 0.30) and antagonistic narcissism (P̂M = 0.26) with substance-related problems. DISCUSSION We demonstrate that grandiose narcissism- particularly antagonistic but also agentic narcissism- is specifically linked to substance-related problems beyond the degree of substance use. The mediating effect of impulsivity but not substance use motives suggests that impulsivity may be a more important mechanism than narcissistic self-regulation in promoting SUD in narcissism. However, future studies may use more targeted measures than substance use motives to further probe the role of self-regulation. Similar result patterns for alcohol compared to all substances together indicate that mechanisms may be alike across substances. In conclusion, narcissistic individuals may not use substances more but have a higher SUD risk, informing prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin K Hildebrandt
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Addiction Research, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46a, 01187, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Josepha Noack
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Addiction Research, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46a, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Raoul Wuellhorst
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Addiction Research, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46a, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tanja Endrass
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Addiction Research, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46a, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Emanuel Jauk
- Department of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 3, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46a, 01187, Dresden, Germany
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Kampe L, Hörz-Sagstetter S, Bohn J, Remmers C. How personality functioning relates to psychological distress and behavioral attitudes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:10.1007/s00406-023-01722-7. [PMID: 38183464 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01722-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Functional aspects of personality are crucial for experiencing and handling emotional distress. With the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus and the subsequent installation of mitigation rules of social distancing, severe psycho-social challenges were posed upon people. Research has shown that individuals react differently to these challenges. This study aimed to investigate the role of dimensional aspects of personality during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, we examined how personality functioning, defense mechanisms, and narcissism were related to psychological distress and cognitive and behavioral attitudes towards the rules of social distancing. In a non-clinical sample (N = 254), Level of Personality Functioning Scale, Inventory of Personality Organization, Defense Style Questionnaire, Pathological Narcissism Inventory, and three single questions regarding emotional distress and behavioral attitudes towards the pandemic were used. Structural equation models with reference and residual factors were calculated. Impairments in personality functioning and vulnerable narcissism showed significant positive relationships, adaptive defense mechanisms significant negative relationships with psychological distress during the pandemic. Residual factors for aggression and low moral values showed distinct negative relationships with psychological distress related to social distancing. Among individuals who chose to ignore the rules of social distancing, greater impairment in personality organization was found. Personality functioning may elucidate individual differences in psychological distress and compliance with the mitigation rules during the pandemic. Limitations of measures are carefully considered in all interpretations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Kampe
- Department of Psychological Diagnostics, International Psychoanalytic University Berlin, Stromstrasse 1, 10555, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Susanne Hörz-Sagstetter
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Bohn
- Department of Education and Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carina Remmers
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine, HMU Health and Medical University, Potsdam, Germany
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4
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Schmidt L, Pfarr JK, Meller T, Evermann U, Nenadić I. Structural connectivity of grandiose versus vulnerable narcissism as models of social dominance and subordination. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16098. [PMID: 37752194 PMCID: PMC10522767 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41098-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Social dominance and subordination have been linked to fronto-limbic and fronto-thalamic networks and are related to phenotypes such as grandiose vs. vulnerable narcissistic traits. The latter have been linked to clinical features such as empathy and emotional regulation. In this study we tested the hypotheses that narcissistic traits are associated with white matter integrity in fasciculus uncinate, cingulum, and anterior thalamic radiation (ATR). We applied the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) to assess narcissistic traits in a sample of 267 psychiatrically healthy individuals. We used 3 T MRI to acquire Diffusion Tensor Imaging data for analysis with TBSS in FSL applying TFCE to test for correlations of fractional anisotropy (FA) and PNI scales. We detected a significant positive correlation of PNI total and FA in the right posterior cingulum. PNI Vulnerability was significantly correlated with FA in the left anterior and right posterior cingulum. We did not find overall correlations with PNI Grandiosity, but additional analyses showed significant effects with FA of ATR. Our results strengthen network models for narcissism underlying both personality variation and pathology. Especially associations of narcissistic vulnerability within fronto-limbic tracts suggest overlaps within neural correlates of related phenotypes like neuroticism, social subordination, and negative emotionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Schmidt
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Marburg University Hospital - UKGM, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Julia-Katharina Pfarr
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tina Meller
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrika Evermann
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Igor Nenadić
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
- Marburg University Hospital - UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
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Fontana A, Cianfanelli B, Verbaro R, Cuzzocrea G, Benzi IMA, Sideli L. Two-Wave Stability of Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism During Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Empathy. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:696-703. [PMID: 37399578 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Literature suggests that narcissistic traits may affect socio-affective development from early adolescence. Two interrelated narcissistic domains have been identified, i.e. , narcissistic grandiosity (NG) and narcissistic vulnerability (NV). This study aims to prospectively assess NG and NV during adolescence and to investigate the mediating role of empathy on the stability of narcissistic traits. One-hundred fifty-six adolescents (47.5% females) participated in a longitudinal prospective study. NG, NV, and empathy were assessed at baseline and 24-month follow-up. Compared with NG traits, NV showed a mean-level increasing pattern, albeit with a small effect size. Different empathy domains mediated the developmental trajectories of NG and NV. Specifically, the "fantasy" empathy domain partially mediated the stability of NG, whereas the "personal distress" domain partially mediated the mild increase of NV. The findings suggest that grandiose fantasies and negative activation to others' distress are crucial factors in shaping developmental trajectories of narcissistic traits during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gaia Cuzzocrea
- Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Sideli
- Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, Rome, Italy
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Di Pierro R, Costantini G, Fanti E, Di Sarno M, Preti E, Madeddu F, Clarkin JF, Caligor E, De Panfilis C. Measurement Invariance of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory and Multimethod Examination of Narcissistic Presentations in Community and Clinical Samples. Assessment 2023; 30:1391-1406. [PMID: 35699415 DOI: 10.1177/10731911221101367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) is extensively used in recent empirical literature on pathological narcissism. However, most studies using the PNI are community-based, and no studies have used the PNI to investigate narcissistic presentations in personality disordered patients. This study investigates measurement invariance of the PNI in community participants and patients with personality disorders, and examines differences of narcissistic presentations in these samples through a multimethod approach. Results show that the PNI can be used reliably to measure and compare traits of pathological narcissism in community participants and patients with personality disorders. Personality disordered patients show higher traits reflecting vulnerable narcissism and overt manifestations of grandiose narcissism, compared with controls. Finally, network analysis indicates that traits of grandiose fantasies and entitlement rage have a central role in defining manifestations of PNI pathological narcissism, regardless of the presence of an underlying personality disorder. Research and clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Di Pierro
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
- Personality Disorders Lab, Parma-Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Emanuele Preti
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
- Personality Disorders Lab, Parma-Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Madeddu
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
- Personality Disorders Lab, Parma-Milan, Italy
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Malaeb D, Asan AE, Fekih-Romdhane F, Azzi V, El Dine AS, Hallit S, Pincus AL. Validation of the pathological narcissistic inventory (PNI) and its brief form (B-PNI) in the Arabic language. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:168. [PMID: 36922814 PMCID: PMC10018913 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04644-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) is a multidimensional measure developed to assess narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability. We aimed to validate the Arabic version of the original Pathological Narcissistic Inventory (PNI) and its brief form (B-PNI) in a community sample of Lebanese adults. METHODS The English language PNI items were translated into Arabic following a rigorous translation, back-translation, and linguistic evaluation. A total of 401 participants were administered the translated PNI, as well as previously validated Arabic versions of the Big Five Inventory-2, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Impulsivity-8 Scale. RESULTS Exploratory and confirmatory analyses supported the existence of seven first-order and two second-order factors of the PNI and B-PNI. Except for exploitativeness where females scored lower than males, no other significant differences by gender were observed for the remaining PNI subscale scores. Additionally, scores on all the subscales exhibited good reliability, while the associations with external measures supported the concurrent validity of the translated instrument. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that scores on the PNI and B-PNI are highly reliable with satisfactory concurrent and factorial validity, providing an assessment of broadly defined pathological narcissism among the Lebanese young adult population. The availability of the Arabic PNI and its brief form should facilitate improved understanding of pathological narcissism in Arabic cultures and the different factors that govern narcissistic personality pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Malaeb
- grid.411884.00000 0004 1762 9788College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- grid.444421.30000 0004 0417 6142School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - A. Esin Asan
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
| | - Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- grid.12574.350000000122959819Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
- grid.414302.00000 0004 0622 0397The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry Ibn Omrane, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Vanessa Azzi
- grid.444434.70000 0001 2106 3658School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Abir Sarray El Dine
- grid.444421.30000 0004 0417 6142Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- grid.444434.70000 0001 2106 3658School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
- grid.512933.f0000 0004 0451 7867Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon
- grid.411423.10000 0004 0622 534XApplied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Aaron L. Pincus
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
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Dufner M, Wieg F, Kraft L, Grapsas S, Hagemeyer B. Motive-Specific Affective Contingencies and Their Relevance for Personality and Motivated Behavior. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/08902070231156842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Individuals differ in the tendency to derive pleasure out of motive-specific incentives, such as being socially included or attaining power. Multiple theoretical approaches have proposed that such motive-specific positive affective contingencies (PACs) are central building blocks of motive dispositions and personality more broadly. In the current research, we put this claim to test and investigated individual differences with regard to motive-specific PACs in the affiliation and power domains. We measured PACs via spontaneous emotional reactions to motive-specific cues, as assessed by affect ratings and electromyographic (EMG) recordings of smile responses. Both of these PAC operationalizations were highly internally consistent and moderately to highly stable across time. Furthermore, motive-specific PACs were linked in a manner consistent with theory to measures of motive dispositions and to personality traits with motivational underpinnings (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, and narcissism). Finally, in the affiliation domain, motive-specific PACs were linked to objectively assessed, key motivational outcomes (i.e., attentional orientation, behavior in daily life, and in the laboratory). Taken together, the findings underscore the relevance of affective contingencies for the understanding of personality and motivated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Dufner
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Wieg
- Department of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Livia Kraft
- Department of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stathis Grapsas
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Birk Hagemeyer
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Leipzig, Germany
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9
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Kealy D, Laverdière O, Cox DW, Hewitt PL. Childhood emotional neglect and depressive and anxiety symptoms among mental health outpatients: the mediating roles of narcissistic vulnerability and shame. J Ment Health 2023; 32:24-32. [PMID: 33084445 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1836557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theorized to stem from experiences of childhood emotional neglect, narcissistic vulnerability has been identified as contributing to expressions of psychiatric distress such as depressive and anxiety symptoms, particularly due to shame-proneness. AIMS To investigate narcissistic vulnerability and shame as mediators between perceived childhood emotional neglect and depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms among psychiatric outpatients. METHODS Adults (N = 137) attending community mental health services completed self-report measures at intake. Mediation analyses tested the indirect effect of perceived emotional neglect on depressive and generalized anxiety symptom severity through narcissistic vulnerability; shame was added to subsequent models to examine narcissistic vulnerability and shame as sequential mediators. RESULTS Perceived emotional neglect was significantly associated with narcissistic vulnerability, which in turn was linked with depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms as separate dependent variables. Indirect effects were significant in each model, indicating narcissistic vulnerability as a significant mediator. With the inclusion of shame, narcissistic vulnerability and shame were significant as sequential mediators. CONCLUSION Narcissistic vulnerability and shame may operate as mechanisms in conferring affective symptom severity from perceived childhood emotional neglect. Narcissistic vulnerability and susceptibility to shame may thus be important treatment targets when addressing psychological distress in the context of childhood adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kealy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Olivier Laverdière
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Daniel W Cox
- Counselling Psychology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paul L Hewitt
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Jauk E, Knödler M, Frenzel J, Kanske P. Do highly sensitive persons display hypersensitive narcissism? Similarities and differences in the nomological networks of sensory processing sensitivity and vulnerable narcissism. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:228-254. [PMID: 35901250 PMCID: PMC10087305 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with high sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) ("highly sensitive persons") are thought to be easily excitable and overwhelmed, highly attentive to aesthetic impressions, and particularly sensitive to sensory stimulation. Public discourse suggests that those who describe themselves as highly sensitive see themselves as fundamentally different from others, and view their personality as a gift and a burden. From a clinical personality perspective, high sensitivity could be considered to have substantial overlaps with hypersensitive narcissism, or generally vulnerable narcissism. METHOD We investigated the associations and shared nomological networks between high sensitivity and hypersensitive narcissism in two studies using convenience and representative samples (n1 = 280, n2 = 310). RESULTS There is evidence for replicable associations between SPS and hypersensitive (.53 ≤ r ≤ .54) as well as vulnerable narcissism (.44 ≤ r ≤ .54), associations were not attributable to general neuroticism. Nomological networks were similar and pointed to a neurotic-introverted personality profile with reduced personality functioning. Latent class analyses further pointed to substantial and practically relevant person-level covariance. CONCLUSION Sensory processing sensitivity and hypersensitive narcissism are substantially related constructs. For clinicians, this points to the importance of being attentive to narcissistic self-regulatory strategies in individuals presenting as highly sensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Jauk
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Madita Knödler
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Frenzel
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Philipp Kanske
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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11
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Kim H, Barry CT. Social intelligence as moderator in the relation between narcissism and aggression in at‐risk adolescents. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/sode.12653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hyunah Kim
- Washington State University Pullman Washington USA
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12
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Henttonen P, Salmi J, Peräkylä A, Krusemark EA. Grandiosity, vulnerability, and narcissistic fluctuation: Examining reliability, measurement invariance, and construct validity of four brief narcissism measures. Front Psychol 2022; 13:993663. [PMID: 36300061 PMCID: PMC9589046 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.993663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Continued interest in the distinction between grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism and the fluctuation between grandiose and vulnerable states has expanded the repertoire of self-report instruments. The present study examined the psychometric properties of four brief narcissism measures [the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-13 (NPI-13), Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS), Super-Brief Pathological Narcissism Inventory (SB-PNI), and the g-FLUX] in a Finnish sample of university students. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the reliability of the NPI-13, g-FLUX, SB-PNI Vulnerability, and two HSNS subfactors (Oversensitivity and Egocentrism). Tests of measurement invariance indicated the NPI-13, SB-PNI Vulnerability, HSNS Oversensitivity, and the g-FLUX perform similarly between males and females and are generally similar between individuals in younger and older age groups. Construct and predictive validity were evaluated by examining relations between narcissism measures and relevant criteria including psychopathology symptoms, self-esteem, well-being, five factor traits, and empathy. Results supported the construct validity of all four measures, while correlational profiles highlighted the convergence between the g-FLUX and measures of both grandiosity and vulnerability. The NPI-13 was most predictive of NPD symptoms, whereas vulnerable narcissism measures were most predictive of psychopathology. Results further establish the psychometric properties of the NPI-13, SB-PNI Vulnerability, HSNS Oversensitivity, Egocentrism, and provide new validation of the g-FLUX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pentti Henttonen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Social Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Salmi
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Anssi Peräkylä
- Department of Social Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Ménard KS, Pincus AL. Examining the Influence of Gender, Child Abuse, and Narcissism on Four Forms of Interpersonal Violence Among Men and Women College Students. VIOLENCE AND VICTIMS 2022; 37:569-587. [PMID: 36192120 DOI: 10.1891/vv-2021-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the moderating effects of gender, child abuse, and pathological narcissism on self-reported stalking, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression in undergraduate men and women. Child abuse was positively associated with engaging in all forms of interpersonal violence for both genders. For women, pathological narcissism moderated this association such that higher levels of pathological narcissism reduced the association between child abuse and engaging in stalking, sexual harassment, sexual aggression. For men. pathological narcissism exhibited independent positive associations with engagement in sexual harassment and sexual aggression and a negative association with engagement in intimate partner violence, but no moderating effects. These gender differences have important implications for the assessment of women's violence, and university violence prevention and advocacy programs.
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14
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Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the violent ideations scale and construction of a short form among Chinese University Students. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03533-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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15
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Baggio S, Iglesias K, Duarte M, Nicastro R, Hasler R, Euler S, Debbané M, Starcevic V, Perroud N. Validation of self-report measures of narcissism against a diagnostic interview. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266540. [PMID: 35385531 PMCID: PMC8986001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) are often used to screen for pathological narcissism but have rarely been validated against a clinician-administered diagnostic interview. Our study evaluated the convergent validity of the PNI and NPI against a diagnostic interview for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in a clinical population. We used data from a psychiatric outpatient center located in Switzerland (n = 123). Correlations between PNI/NPI and NPD ranged between .299 and .498 (common variance 9.0–24.8%). The PNI and NPI should be used carefully to screen for NPD. We highlight a need to increase the compatibility between the conceptual underpinnings of the PNI, NPI and NPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Baggio
- Division of Prison Health, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Katia Iglesias
- School of Health Sciences (HEdS-FR), HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Duarte
- Service of Psychiatric Specialties, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rosetta Nicastro
- Service of Psychiatric Specialties, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Roland Hasler
- Service of Psychiatric Specialties, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- NCCR Synapsy, Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Euler
- Department of Consultation Psychiatry and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Debbané
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vladan Starcevic
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Nepean Clinical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nader Perroud
- Service of Psychiatric Specialties, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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16
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Jauk E, Olaru G, Schürch E, Back MD, Morf CC. Validation of the German Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory and Construction of a Brief Form Using Ant Colony Optimization. Assessment 2022; 30:969-997. [PMID: 35176900 PMCID: PMC10149890 DOI: 10.1177/10731911221075761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Narcissism is a multifaceted construct commonly conceptualized as comprising grandiose and vulnerable aspects in a two-factor model. While the manifold correlates of these aspects imposed a challenge for research on the structure of narcissism, recent models converge in a three-factor structure of agentic-extraverted, antagonistic, and neurotic aspects, capturing variance in different conceptualizations and correlates of narcissism. We construct and validate a German adaptation of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI), a measure assessing these aspects based on the Five-Factor Model. In eight samples (N = 2,921), we found the German FFNI to align with both, two- and three-factor models. The factors display good criterion validity with other narcissism measures, (non-)clinical personality dimensions, interpersonal styles, and (mal-)adaptive adjustment. Neurotic and antagonistic narcissism discriminated between individuals with/without mental disorder diagnoses, and displayed a characteristic profile in incarcerated offenders. Since the FFNI is comprehensive but long, we constructed a 30-item brief form (FFNI-BF) optimizing the internal structure and external validity using ant colony optimization. The FFNI-BF displayed good psychometric characteristics and similar, in certain aspects even advantageous criterion validity. We conclude that the German FFNI validly measures key aspects of narcissism, and the FFNI-BF captures these in a concise manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Jauk
- Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,Medical University of Graz, Austria
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17
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Koepernik T, Jauk E, Kanske P. Lay theories of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 41:8862-8875. [PMID: 36471815 PMCID: PMC9715512 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-01296-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In public discourse, narcissism is often portrayed one-sidedly and overly negative, rendering a picture of narcissistic individuals as "toxic people" or "evil characters". Beyond these salient associations, psychological theories point to a more complex phenomenon, and different developmental mechanisms are being discussed in relation to it. We investigated the prevalence of different implicit theories on narcissism including beliefs about its developmental antecedents. We put forward the question whether grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic behaviors are regarded as congruent or incongruent expressions of underlying feelings and motives, that is whether grandiose behavior is attributed to underlying grandiosity or underlying vulnerability, and vice versa. Results of an online survey (N = 177) show higher agreement with congruent rather than incongruent theories (i.e., grandiose narcissism is attributed to feelings of superiority rather than inferiority, vulnerable narcissism is attributed to inferiority rather than superiority). In line with this, participants displayed predominant beliefs in parental overvaluation as a developmental antecedent of grandiose narcissism/parental coldness as an antecedent of vulnerable narcissism. With higher self-reported prior knowledge of narcissism, endorsement of theories assuming incongruencies increased. The likability of narcissism was not associated with endorsement of the different implicit theories, but instead with perceivers' own narcissism levels. Results suggest that laypeople employ an "it is what it seems" - heuristic facing both grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic behaviors and are less likely to attribute grandiose or vulnerable behavior to incongruent motivational states. Findings might help to better understand the public image of narcissism and its social consequences. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-020-01296-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Koepernik
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Emanuel Jauk
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Philipp Kanske
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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18
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Weiss M, Huppert JD. Narcissistic Reflections After Social Rejection: Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism in Terms of Explicit and Implicit Interpretation Bias. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-021-10245-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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19
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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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20
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Kampe L, Bohn J, Remmers C, Hörz-Sagstetter S. It's Not That Great Anymore: The Central Role of Defense Mechanisms in Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:661948. [PMID: 34177651 PMCID: PMC8226035 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.661948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The concept of narcissism contains a yet unresolved paradox: Its grandiose facet depicts the psychopathological core but is often associated with life-satisfaction and overall functioning, whereas its vulnerable facet is associated with psychological distress, but still not included in the international classification systems. Our goal was to investigate the relationship between the two facets of narcissism expecting underlying defense mechanisms to be core elements. First, we aimed to identify defense mechanisms specific to grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Second, we explored how both facets are differentially associated with psychological distress, assuming that grandiose narcissism would be associated with less psychological distress than vulnerable narcissism. Third, we investigated the mediating role of defense mechanisms between narcissism and psychological distress. Methods: In a non-clinical sample of N = 254 individuals, the Pathological Narcissism Inventory was used for the assessment of grandiose and vulnerable facets of narcissism, the Defense Style Questionnaire for defense mechanisms, and the Brief Symptom Inventory for psychological distress. Structural equation modeling was employed to identify distinct factors of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Associations between specific defense mechanisms and both facets were calculated. Furthermore, the direct association between both facets and psychological distress was examined. We finally explored whether defense mechanisms mediate the association between distress and both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Results: A distinct pattern of defense mechanisms for each facet of narcissism could be extracted: Both facets showed significant positive correlations with specific intermediate and all maladaptive defense mechanisms. Only grandiose narcissism showed significant positive correlations with adaptive defenses. Vulnerable narcissism showed negative correlations with all adaptive defenses. Specifically, grandiose narcissism was significantly related to anticipation, pseudo-altruism, rationalization, and dissociation, whereas vulnerable narcissism was negatively related to all these defense mechanisms. While grandiose narcissism was not related to psychological distress, vulnerable narcissism showed high correlations with psychological distress. Intriguingly, mediator analysis found that grandiose narcissism was related to psychological distress when mediated by maladaptive defense mechanisms. Discussion: The role of defense mechanisms is central for a differentiated understanding of the two different faces of narcissism. The relevance of assessing defense mechanisms in clinical settings, and related empirical findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Kampe
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Psychosoziales Zentrum Itzehoe, Itzehoe, Germany
| | - Johannes Bohn
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carina Remmers
- Faculty of Health/School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Susanne Hörz-Sagstetter
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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21
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Jauk E, Kanske P. Can neuroscience help to understand narcissism? A systematic review of an emerging field. PERSONALITY NEUROSCIENCE 2021; 4:e3. [PMID: 34124536 PMCID: PMC8170532 DOI: 10.1017/pen.2021.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Narcissism is a Janusian personality construct, associated with both grandiose self-assuredness and dominance, as well as vulnerable insecurity and reactivity. Central questions of intra- and interpersonal functioning in narcissism are still a matter of debate. Neuroscience could help to understand the paradoxical patterns of experience and behavior beyond the limitations of self-reports. We provide a systematic review of 34 neuroscience studies on grandiose, vulnerable, pathological narcissism, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), spanning experimental investigations of intra- and interpersonal mechanisms, research on neurophysiological and neuroendocrine aspects of baseline function, and brain structural correlates. While neuroscience has scarcely directly studied vulnerable narcissism, grandiose narcissism is associated with heightened vigilance to ego threat and stress responses following ego threat, as well as heightened stress indicators in baseline measures. Such responses are not commonly observed in self-reports, highlighting the potential of neuroscience to augment our understanding of self-regulatory dynamics in narcissism. Interpersonal functioning is characterized by deficits in social-affective processes. Both involve altered activity within the salience network, pointing to a double dissociation regarding the expression of narcissism and self/other oriented situational focus. Findings are summarized in an integrative model providing testable hypotheses for future research along with methodological recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Jauk
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Philipp Kanske
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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22
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Stone LE, Segal DL, Krus GC. Relationships between pathological narcissism and maladaptive personality traits among older adults. Aging Ment Health 2021; 25:930-935. [PMID: 32067472 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1725802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) is a measure of narcissism, with two domains of Vulnerability and Grandiosity, that has limited evidence of validity among older adults. Subsequently, the objective of the present study was to examine relationships between the PNI and measures of diverse pathological personality features.Method: Participants consisted of 125 community-dwelling older adults (M age = 71.8 years) who completed the PNI, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), and the Coolidge Axis II Inventory (CATI).Results: Total Narcissism, Vulnerability, and Grandiosity were significantly correlated with every PD scale, with the exception of Grandiosity with Schizotypal PD. Regression analyses revealed that Narcissistic and Avoidant PDs had the strongest relationships with the PNI. Total Narcissism was also significantly correlated with all five PID-5 domains, with regression indicating Negative Affect and Antagonism as the strongest predictors.Conclusions: Findings generally support the convergent validity of the PNI for use among older adults and suggest that pathological narcissism may be related to general personality pathology in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa E Stone
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Daniel L Segal
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Gabrielle C Krus
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
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23
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Edershile EA, Wright AGC. Fluctuations in grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic states: A momentary perspective. J Pers Soc Psychol 2021; 120:1386-1414. [PMID: 33090821 PMCID: PMC8060359 DOI: 10.1037/pspp0000370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Theories of narcissism emphasize the dynamic processes within and between grandiosity and vulnerability. Research seeking to address this has either not studied grandiosity and vulnerability together or has used dispositional measures to assess what are considered to be momentary states. Emerging models of narcissism suggest grandiosity and vulnerability can further be differentiated into a three-factor structure-Exhibitionistic Grandiosity, Entitlement, and Vulnerability. Research in other areas of maladaptive personality (e.g., borderline personality disorder) has made headway in engaging data collection and analytic methods that are specifically meant to examine such questions. The present study took an exploratory approach to studying fluctuations within and between grandiose and vulnerable states. Fluctuations-operationalized as gross variability, instability, and lagged effects-were examined across three samples (two undergraduate and a community sample oversampled for narcissistic features; total person N = 862, total observation N = 36,631). Results suggest variability in narcissistic states from moment to moment is moderately associated with dispositional assessments of narcissism. Specifically, individuals who are dispositionally grandiose express both grandiosity and vulnerability, and vary in their overall levels of grandiosity and vulnerability over time. On the other hand, dispositionally vulnerable individuals tend to have high levels of vulnerability and low levels of grandiosity. Entitlement plays a key role in the processes that underlie narcissism and narcissistic processes appear unique to the construct and not reflective of broader psychological processes (e.g., self-esteem). Future research should consider using similar methods and statistical techniques on different timescales to study dynamics within narcissism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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24
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Kealy D, Hewitt PL, Cox DW, Laverdière O. Narcissistic vulnerability and the need for belonging: Moderated mediation from perceived parental responsiveness to depressive symptoms. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01644-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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25
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Abstract
The few studies that examined the association between narcissism and problematic smartphone use found mixed results. Moreover, the empirical examination of psychological mechanisms for this link is lacking. This study investigated the relationships between pathological narcissism, emptiness and problematic smartphone use. Participants included 278 young Israeli adults (159 males; Mage = 26.21) who completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. Our results show that narcissistic grandiosity, vulnerability and emptiness were positively related to problematic smartphone use. Importantly, emptiness mediated the relationships between pathological narcissism and problematic smartphone use. These findings highlight the mediating role of emptiness experience in the associations between pathological narcissism and problematic smartphone use and lend empirical support to the importance of the emptiness experience for compensatory behaviors such as heavy and compulsive smartphone usage by the pathological narcissist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gadi Zerach
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychology, Ariel University, 40700, Ariel, Israel.
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26
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Busmann M, Meyer AH, Wrege J, Lang UE, Gaab J, Walter M, Euler S. Vulnerable narcissism as beneficial factor for the therapeutic alliance in borderline personality disorder. Clin Psychol Psychother 2021; 28:1222-1229. [PMID: 33619789 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that narcissism and borderline personality disorder are associated with each other. This naturalistic study investigated the predictive value of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism on the development of the therapeutic alliance in short-term psychodynamic treatment across 12 weeks. The sample consisted of 99 patients with borderline personality disorder. Narcissism was assessed with the Pathological Narcissism Inventory at treatment onset. The therapeutic alliance was rated with the Scale to Assess Therapeutic Relationships by both patient and therapist at four time points during treatment. Results showed a significant predictive value of vulnerable narcissism on the therapeutic alliance, revealing a more beneficial progression for patients with higher vulnerable narcissism. Grandiose narcissism had no predictive value on the therapeutic alliance. The study strengthens the clinical utility of the concept of vulnerable narcissism towards the evaluation of treatment processes in borderline personality disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Busmann
- Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, Centre of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrea H Meyer
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Wrege
- Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, Centre of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Undine E Lang
- Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, Centre of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens Gaab
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Walter
- Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, Centre of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Euler
- Department of Consultation Psychiatry and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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27
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Heinze PE, Fatfouta R, Schröder-Abé M. Validation of an implicit measure of antagonistic narcissism. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PERSONALITY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2020.103993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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28
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Sened H, Bar-Kalifa E, Pshedetzky-Shochat R, Gleason M, Rafaeli E. Mom-and-Pop Narcissism: The Impact of Attention Seeking and Grandiosity on Couples' Experience of the Transition to Parenthood. J Pers Disord 2020; 34:499-518. [PMID: 31403369 DOI: 10.1521/pedi_2019_33_442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Various studies have demonstrated associations between personality disorders and relationship satisfaction. The authors examine the associations between attention seeking and grandiosity, both features of narcissistic personality disorder, and relationship satisfaction before and after the transition to parenthood. The authors then expand their analysis to parental satisfaction and postpartum depression (PPD). Nonclinical couples (N = 103 couples) expecting their first child completed measures of grandiosity, attention seeking, and relationship satisfaction before birth, and of relationship satisfaction, parental satisfaction, and PPD symptoms 3 months afterward. Attention seeking was associated with less parental satisfaction and more PPD symptoms, and with less prepartum relationship satisfaction for participants' partners. For men, attention seeking was also associated with prepartum relationship satisfaction. Grandiosity was associated with a decrease in relationship satisfaction after birth, although, surprisingly with fewer PPD symptoms for participants' partners. The authors discuss how these findings might be related to changes in social support and work-life balance during the transition to parenthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haran Sened
- Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Eran Bar-Kalifa
- Department of Psychology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Marci Gleason
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin
| | - Eshkol Rafaeli
- Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.,Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University.,Department of Psychology, Barnard College, and Columbia University, New York, New York
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29
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Abstract
Pathological narcissism is associated with decreased quality of life, even when accounting for psychiatric comorbidity, but the processes behind this association are unclear. Here, we evaluate whether disturbed relatedness accounts for the negative association between narcissistic pathology and quality of life. Patients in day hospital treatment for personality pathology (N = 218, 70% female; mean age, 37.3 years) completed measures of personality disorder features, quality of life, and global symptoms before beginning treatment. Quality of object relations was assessed through semistructured interviews. Regression-based mediation analyses showed that narcissistic personality traits relate to quality of life through quality of object relations, controlling for other personality disorders and psychiatric distress. These results highlight the importance of problematic relationship patterns for the low quality of life associated with pathological narcissism. Clinicians working with narcissistic individuals should consider psychotherapies that promote mature relatedness and should attend to facilitating the quality of patients' relationships.
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30
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Dinić BM, Vujić A. The Pathological Narcissism Inventory: Measurement Invariance Across Serbian and USA Samples and Further Validation. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The aim of this research was to explore measurement invariance across samples from Serbia and the USA (Study 1) and to further validate the Serbian adaptation of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory – PNI (Study 2). The results supported the original seven-factor first-order structure as well as the hierarchical structure of the PNI with Narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability as the second-order factors. Further, scalar invariance between the two versions of the PNI was achieved. Relations between Narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability and other measures of grandiose and hypersensitive narcissism supported the validity of their scores. Among HEXACO traits, both Narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability showed substantial negative correlations with Honesty-Humility. The main distinctions between the two aspects of narcissism lie in the positive relations with Neuroticism and negative relations with self-esteem, both of which are higher for Narcissistic vulnerability. The results support good psychometric properties of the PNI scores and add to the PNI’s cross-cultural validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana M. Dinić
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Vujić
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
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31
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Wetzel E, Lang FJ, Back MD, Vecchione M, Rogoza R, Roberts BW. Measurement Invariance of Three Narcissism Questionnaires Across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Assessment 2020; 28:29-43. [PMID: 32370541 PMCID: PMC7783690 DOI: 10.1177/1073191120907967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
With a recent surge of research on narcissism, narcissism questionnaires are increasingly being translated and applied in various countries. The measurement invariance of an instrument across countries is a precondition for being able to compare scores across countries. We investigated the cross-cultural measurement invariance of three narcissism questionnaires (Brief Pathological Narcissism Inventory [B-PNI], Narcissistic Personality Inventory [NPI], and Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire [NARQ]) and mean-level differences across samples from the United States (N = 2,464), the United Kingdom (N = 307), and Germany (N = 925). Overall, the B-PNI and NARQ functioned equivalently for the U.S. and U.K. participants. More violations of measurement invariance were found between Germany and the combined U.S. and U.K. samples, and for the NPI. In the B-PNI and NARQ, Americans scored higher than individuals from the United Kingdom regarding agentic aspects (self-sacrificing self-enhancement, admiration), while Germans scored lower than both Americans and U.K. individuals regarding antagonistic (entitlement rage, rivalry) and neurotic (hiding the self, contingent self-esteem) aspects. More inconsistent results were found for NPI facets. When noninvariance was present, observed means yielded biased results. Thus, the degree of measurement invariance across translated instrument versions should be considered in cross-cultural comparisons, even with culturally similar countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunike Wetzel
- University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Felix J Lang
- University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Brent W Roberts
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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Womick J, Atherton B, King LA. Lives of significance (and purpose and coherence): subclinical narcissism, meaning in life, and subjective well-being. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03982. [PMID: 32462090 PMCID: PMC7240116 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Three studies addressed two research questions. First, does accounting for meaning in life (MIL) wipe out the association between narcissism and other aspects of well-being? Second, among the three facets of MIL (significance, purpose, and coherence), does significance explain the association between narcissism and MIL? All studies measured narcissism and MIL. Study 1 was a re-analysis of cross-sectional data, including measures of subjective well-being (SWB) and self-deceptive enhancement (N = 415; Womick et al., 2019). Study 2, N = 300, measured the facets of MIL in a sample of adults. Study 3, N = 295, included MIL facets and self-esteem in a sample of students. In Studies 1 and 3, MIL fully mediated the relationship between narcissism and SWB. SWB did not fully mediate the association between narcissism and MIL. Studies 2 and 3 showed that all MIL facets accounted for the association between narcissism and MIL. Self-esteem partially mediated the association between narcissism and MIL, but self-esteem and MIL, both, independently wiped out the link between narcissism and SWB. Narcissism contributes to SWB through MIL, and the paths from narcissism to SWB through MIL and self-esteem are independent. Implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Womick
- University of Missouri, Columbia, United States
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Abstract
AbstractThe purpose of this research is to examine the association of narcissism facets with subjective and objective career success, as well as the impact of the professional field. Data from 282 employees of a German university – both scientists and administrative staff – who completed an online survey were analysed. Results showed a significant negative relationship between vulnerable narcissism and career success. The associations of the grandiose narcissism subfacets: grandiose exhibitionism and entitlement/exploitativeness, as well as vulnerable narcissism with subjective career success were affected by professional field. However, leadership/authority, the remaining subfacet of grandiose narcissism, was not associated with career success.
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Vulnerable and grandiose narcissism in adolescence: Associations with anger and hostility. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-019-00556-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
In this article, we review associations between the Dark Triad of personality (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) and addictive behaviors, both substance-related and non-substance-related. We summarize evidence from personality and clinical research and integrate it with prevailing models of addiction. Specifically, we discuss addictive behavior in the light of affect regulation, which is likely more relevant in narcissism, as well as inhibitory deficits, a putative mechanism in psychopathy. These mechanisms can be related to central motives of the respective personality constructs, such as stabilization of self-esteem in narcissism and impulsive stimulation seeking in psychopathy. We conclude that different mechanisms might lead to similar observable behavior in narcissism and psychopathy at earlier stages of the addiction cycle, but psychopathic disinhibition might be particularly relevant at later stages. This underpins the importance of considering personality factors for the understanding and treatment of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Jauk
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Raoul Dieterich
- Addiction Research, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Somma A, Pincus AL, Fontana A, Cianfanelli B, Fossati A. Measurement Invariance of Three Versions of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory across Gender-Matched Italian Adolescent High School and Young Adult University Students. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-019-09758-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Rogoza R, Fatfouta R. Normal and pathological communal narcissism in relation to personality traits and values. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2018.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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[Personality and therapy motivation of child sexual offenders]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PSYCHOSOMATISCHE MEDIZIN UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2019; 64:350-364. [PMID: 30829173 DOI: 10.13109/zptm.2018.64.4.350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Personality and therapy motivation of child sexual offenders Objective: This pilot study examined the interrelationship between pathological narcissism, impaired personality organization, sexual delinquency, and therapy motivation from a psychoanalytic perspective in a sample of child sexual offenders. METHOD 42 forensic outpatients who had committed child sexual offenses completed a set of self-reports (PNI, IPO-16, ADP-IV, FPTM). RESULTS We found a positive correlation between pathological narcissism and impairment of personality organization. Though the levels of vulnerable narcissism were above average, no pathology of personality organization was present in this sample. Results also did not reveal a negative correlation between the severity of personality impairment and therapy motivation. The sample showed diverging results regarding correlations between narcissism and facets of therapy motivation: Higher levels of narcissism were associated with increased feelings of suffering but also denial of any need for help. CONCLUSIONS In this sample, a restrictive diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorders according toDSMand ICD criteria seems to underestimate their prevalence. The construct of therapy motivation should be adjusted to outpatient forensic treatment.
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Bell CA, Jankowski PJ, Sandage SJ. Early treatment narcissism associated with later social and sexual functioning among psychotherapy clients. COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/capr.12199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J. Jankowski
- Boston University; Boston Massachusetts
- Bethel University; Saint Paul Minnesota
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Definitions of narcissism have traditionally differed across psychiatry and subfields of psychology. This review aims to highlight emerging points of consensus and suggest further directions needed to obtain a more comprehensive and cohesive conceptualization of the construct. RECENT FINDINGS An emerging consensus is that stable individual differences in the phenotypic expression of narcissism are best captured with a taxonomy that includes the core traits of entitlement, grandiosity, and vulnerability. Recent work has also begun to conceptualize and assess narcissistic states matched with these dimensions. We combine emerging taxonomic knowledge with principles from Whole Trait Theory to propose a multilevel conceptualization of narcissism that focuses on its manifestation at the trait level, state level, and within-situation level. SUMMARY Efforts to understand the phenotypic structure of the core traits associated with narcissism have been successful. As the field moves forward, it will become critical for researchers studying narcissism at multiple levels to align and integrate these perspectives so that a more comprehensive and cohesive conceptualization of the construct can be developed.
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Lange J, Redford L, Crusius J. A Status-Seeking Account of Psychological Entitlement. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2018; 45:1113-1128. [PMID: 30486751 PMCID: PMC6552293 DOI: 10.1177/0146167218808501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We propose that people high in entitlement are characterized by motivation to attain status. Five studies (total N = 2,372) support that entitlement promotes motivation to seek status. This motivation, in turn, relates to affective processes when facing upward comparisons and contributes to status attainment. Specifically, entitlement fostered prestige and dominance motivation. These, in turn, predicted greater benign and malicious envy, respectively, when encountering high-status others. The indirect effects occurred when entitlement was measured (Studies 1A and 1B) and manipulated (Studies 2A and 2B). Finally, entitlement related to status attainment, yet not always in line with more entitled people's motivation. Although they ascribed themselves both more prestige and dominance, others ascribed them only more dominance, yet less prestige (Studies 3A, 3B, and 3C). These findings suggest that a status-seeking account offers important insights into the complexities of entitled behavior and its social consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Lange
- 1 University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Kapusta ND, Jankowski KS, Wolf V, Chéron-Le Guludec M, Lopatka M, Hammerer C, Schnieder A, Kealy D, Ogrodniczuk JS, Blüml V. Measuring the Capacity to Love: Development of the CTL-Inventory. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1115. [PMID: 30087627 PMCID: PMC6066550 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The individual capacity to love (CTL) has been linked to various mental health parameters and is considered to be an important outcome parameter of psychotherapeutic treatment. However, empirical examinations of the concept have not been conducted up to now. The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of CTL [Capacity to Love Inventory (CTL-I)] as a trait of personality, which is shown to be related to clinically relevant symptoms and conditions. Method: Four independent healthy samples in Austria (n = 547, n = 174, and n = 85) and Poland (n = 240) were assessed by a prototype of the CTL-I and its final shorter version in a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency of the total questionnaire and each subscale was assessed by Cronbach alpha. External validity was measured against Beck Depression Inventory, Quality of Relationship Inventory, Sociosexual Orientation Inventory, Pathological Narcissism Inventory, and Narcissistic Personality Inventory according to the theoretical framework of the CTL concept. Further test–retest reliability was assessed. Results: The CFA confirmed 41 items in six dimensions: Interest in the life project of the other, Basic trust, Humility and gratitude, Common ego ideal, Permanence of sexual passion, and Acceptance of loss/jealousy/mourning. The Cronbach alphas of the total CTL-I and its subscales ranged between 0.67 and 0.90 in all samples, suggesting a valid construct. The CTL-I was moderately positively associated with quality of relationship (Support r = 0.63, Conflict r = -0.66, and Depth r = 0.66) and inversely associated with symptoms of depression (r = -0.37), pathological narcissism (r = -0.29) and promiscuity (r = -0.42). The test–retest reliability of the total CTL-I was high with r = 0.81, suggesting the stability of answers over time. Conclusion: The proposed 41-item version of the CTL-I is a psychometrically sound and validated instrument measuring six dimensions of the concept of the CTL. The reported negative associations with clinically relevant parameters such as depression, pathological narcissism and promiscuity as well as associations with relationship qualities such as conflicts, support, and depth warrant its future use in burdened populations including couples in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nestor D Kapusta
- Department for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Viktoria Wolf
- Department for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Madlen Lopatka
- Department for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Hammerer
- Department for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alina Schnieder
- Department for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Kealy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - John S Ogrodniczuk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Victor Blüml
- Department for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Jauk E, Kaufman SB. The Higher the Score, the Darker the Core: The Nonlinear Association Between Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1305. [PMID: 30150950 PMCID: PMC6088174 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Narcissism is a truly Janusian phenomenon, consisting of both narcissistic grandiosity, exhibitionism, admiration-seeking, boldness, and dominance on the one hand, and narcissistic vulnerability, introversion, withdrawal, hypersensitivity, and anxiety on the other hand. While there is broad consensus that these two seemingly contradictory faces of narcissism can be empirically discerned and have different implications for psychological functioning and mental health, there is not yet agreement on whether grandiose and vulnerable narcissism should be regarded as independent traits or as two manifestations of one personality trait. Previous research indicates that both views hold true when the level of grandiosity is considered a moderating factor: while grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are largely unrelated in the range of normal personality variation, they are correlated in the range of high grandiosity (Jauk et al., 2017b). Here, we replicate and extend this work in an independent sample (N = 891) using a more comprehensive narcissism inventory grounded in a new trifurcated model of narcissism. The trifurcated model partitions narcissism into three main personality dimensions: agentic extraversion, antagonism, and neuroticism. We found a significant breakpoint in the association between narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability at 75% cumulative frequency of grandiosity. While grandiosity and vulnerability are unrelated below this breakpoint (r = 0.02), they are strongly correlated above (r = 0.45). In the lower range of grandiose narcissism, grandiosity draws more upon agentic extraversion and is largely associated with mental health. In the upper range, however, grandiosity is more strongly linked to antagonism and is substantially associated with fear, negative affect, and depression. These findings provide evidence for the view that grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are distinct traits at lower levels of grandiosity, but blend into an antagonistic core with signs of psychological maladjustment at higher levels. Implications for research on narcissism as a personality trait, as well as clinical practice, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Jauk
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Scott Barry Kaufman
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Allroggen M, Rehmann P, Schürch E, Morf CC, Kölch M. The Relationship Between Narcissism and Personality Traits of the Five-Factor-Model in Adolescents and Young Adults. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KINDER-UND JUGENDPSYCHIATRIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2018; 46:516-522. [PMID: 29792092 DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Narcissism is seen as a multidimensional construct that consists of two manifestations: grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. In order to define these two manifestations, their relationship to personality factors has increasingly become of interest. However, so far no studies have considered the relationship between different phenotypes of narcissism and personality factors in adolescents. Method: In a cross-sectional study, we examine a group of adolescents (n = 98; average age 16.77 years; 23.5 % female) with regard to the relationship between Big Five personality factors and pathological narcissism using self-report instruments. This group is compared to a group of young adults (n = 38; average age 19.69 years; 25.6 % female). Results: Grandiose narcissism is primarily related to low Agreeableness and Extraversion, vulnerable narcissism to Neuroticism. We do not find differences between adolescents and young adults concerning the relationship between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and personality traits. Discussion: Vulnerable and grandiose narcissism can be well differentiated in adolescents, and the pattern does not show substantial differences compared to young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Allroggen
- 1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Germany
| | - Peter Rehmann
- 1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Germany
| | - Eva Schürch
- 2 Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carolyn C Morf
- 2 Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Kölch
- 1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Germany.,3 Department of Child and Adolescents Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Brandenburg Neuruppin, Germany
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Vater A, Moritz S, Roepke S. Does a narcissism epidemic exist in modern western societies? Comparing narcissism and self-esteem in East and West Germany. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0188287. [PMID: 29364885 PMCID: PMC5783345 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Narcissism scores are higher in individualistic cultures compared with more collectivistic cultures. However, the impact of sociocultural factors on narcissism and self-esteem has not been well described. Germany was formerly divided into two different social systems, each with distinct economic, political and national cultures, and was reunified in 1989/90. Between 1949 and 1989/90, West Germany had an individualistic culture, whereas East Germany had a more collectivistic culture. The German reunification provides an exceptional opportunity to investigate the impact of sociocultural and generational differences on narcissism and self-esteem. In this study, we used an anonymous online survey to assess grandiose narcissism with the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) to assess grandiose and vulnerable aspects of narcissism, and self-esteem with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) in 1,025 German individuals. Data were analyzed according to age and place of birth. Our results showed that grandiose narcissism was higher and self-esteem was lower in individuals who grew up in former West Germany compared with former East Germany. Further analyses indicated no significant differences in grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism or self-esteem in individuals that entered school after the German reunification (≤ 5 years of age in 1989). In the middle age cohort (6–18 years of age in 1989), significant differences in vulnerable narcissism, grandiose narcissism and self-esteem were observed. In the oldest age cohort (> 19 years of age in 1989), significant differences were only found in one of the two scales assessing grandiose narcissism (NPI). Our data provides empirical evidence that sociocultural factors are associated with differences in narcissism and self-esteem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Vater
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Education and Psychology, Berlin, Germany
- University of Potsdam, Department of Psychology, Potsdam, Germany
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Steffen Moritz
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Roepke
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin, Germany
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Euler S, Stöbi D, Sowislo J, Ritzler F, Huber CG, Lang UE, Wrege J, Walter M. Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism in Borderline Personality Disorder. Psychopathology 2018; 51:110-121. [PMID: 29466803 DOI: 10.1159/000486601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about narcissistic traits in borderline personality disorder (BPD). This exploratory study aimed to illustrate the associations between total, grandiose, and vulnerable narcissism and gender, diagnostic features of BPD and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), and psychopathology in BPD patients. SAMPLING AND METHODS The Pathological Narcissism Inventory and psychometric measures for impulsivity, anger, borderline symptom severity, personality organization, depression, and rejection sensitivity were completed by 65 BPD patients. Statistical analyses were conducted using the t test, Pearson correlation, and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS Male BPD patients displayed higher narcissistic scores than females (p < 0.01). Grandiose narcissism showed a stronger association with NPD than with BPD (p < 0.01) while vulnerable narcissism was only associated with BPD (p < 0.01). Rejection sensitivity (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.001) predicted vulnerable narcissism. CONCLUSION Vulnerable narcissism is closely associated with BPD and appears to be more dysfunctional than grandiose narcissism. A comprehensive consideration of both traits is recommended. Our results might help to generate hypotheses for further research on pathological narcissism in the spectrum of personality disorders. Future studies are advised to apply complementary measures and take new diagnostic approaches of DSM-5 and ICD-11 into account.
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Fatfouta R, Zeigler-Hill V, Schröder-Abé M. I’m merciful, am I not? Facets of narcissism and forgiveness revisited. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PERSONALITY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Braun S. Leader Narcissism and Outcomes in Organizations: A Review at Multiple Levels of Analysis and Implications for Future Research. Front Psychol 2017; 8:773. [PMID: 28579967 PMCID: PMC5437163 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Narcissists often pursue leadership and are selected for leadership positions by others. At the same time, they act in their own best interest, putting the needs and interests of others at risk. While theoretical arguments clearly link narcissism and leadership, the question whether leader narcissism is good or bad for organizations and their members remains unanswered. Narcissism seems to have two sides, a bright and a dark one. This systematic literature review seeks to contribute to the ongoing academic discussion about the positive or negative impact of leader narcissism in organizations. Forty-five original research articles were categorized according to outcomes at three levels of analysis: the dyadic level (focusing on leader-follower relationships), the team level (focusing on work teams and small groups), and the organizational level. On this basis, we first summarized the current state of knowledge about the impact that leader narcissism has on outcomes at different levels of analysis. Next, we revealed similarities and contradictions between research findings within and across levels of analysis, highlighting persistent inconsistencies concerning the question whether leader narcissism has positive or negative consequences. Finally, we outlined theoretical and methodological implications for future studies of leader narcissism. This multi-level perspective ascertains a new, systematic view of leader narcissism and its consequences for organizations and their stakeholders. The article demonstrates the need for future research in the field of leader narcissism and opens up new avenues for inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Braun
- Durham University Business School, Durham UniversityDurham, United Kingdom.,Center for Leadership and People Management, Ludwig Maximilian University of MunichMunich, Germany
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