Affective consequences of self-focus in vulnerable and grandiose narcissists

Abstract

The influence of self-focus in vulnerable and grandiose narcissists was researched in the experimental study (N = 136). Results show that self-focus elicits negative self-conscious emotions (shame and guilt) in high vulnerable narcissists and positive self-conscious emotions (pride) in grandiose narcissists. The former relations were mediated by explicit self-esteem. Regardless of self-focus manipulation, vulnerable narcissism was positively related to anxiety, and negatively to pride, and grandiose narcissism was negatively related to feelings of shame, guilt and anxiety – these relations were also mediated by explicit self-esteem. Implicit self-esteem, measured with Initial Preference Task, did not improve prediction. The results are discussed in the light of existing knowledge about the distinction between vulnerable and grandiose narcissism.