Influence of narcissism of mothers of middle school students on their maternal consciousness and rearing patterns

Abstract

Objective To explore the influence of narcissism of mothers of middle school students on maternal consciousness and their rearing patterns,and to provide theoretical support for family education.Methods 361 pairs middle school students and their mothers were sampled randomly and tested by middle school students' mother maternal consciousness scale and the narcissistic personality Inventory for the mothers,and the mother's subscale of EMBU for the students respectively.The data were analyzed by ANOVA,product-moment correlation and path analysis.Results 1 ) Overt narcissism had significant differences among different levels of income(F=6.501,P＜0.001 ); 2)overt narcissism was correlated positively with emotional warmth and understanding of mother and mother' s over-interference,over-protection ( r =0.121,0.126,P ＜ 0.05 ) ; covert narcissism was correlated negatively with maternal consciousness and emotional warmth and understanding of mother,and positively with over-protection,refusal and deny,and severe punishment; 3 )narcissism of mothers not only would influence their rearing patterns through maternal consciousness indirectly( β=0.319,P=0.000),but would influence that directly ( covert narcissism:β =0.281,P =0.000 ; overt narcissism:β =- 0.278,P =0.000) ; and overt narcissism had positive effect,while covert narcissism had negative effect.Conclusion Narcissism of mothers of middle school students influences maternal consciousness and rearing patterns,and effect of overt narcissism is positive,and that of covert narcissism is negative.So it is important to perfect mother's character for ameliorating their rearing pattern. Key words: Maternal consciousness; Narcissistic personality; Rearing pattern; Overt narcissism; Covert narcissism