The Role of Narcissistic Personality Features in Sexual Aggression

Abstract

Narcissism has been identified as a potential risk factor for sexual aggression among men. the purpose of the present study was to examine whether specific facets of narcissism differed in terms of their association with sexual aggression. this was accomplished by examining the associations that the normal and pathological forms of narcissism had with sexual aggression. the results showed that only certain facets of narcissism were associated with sexual aggression. Facets of narcissism that concerned feelings of entitlement and a willingness to exploit others were positively associated with sexual aggression whereas pathological forms of narcissistic grandiosity were negatively associated with sexual aggression. discussion focuses on the implications of these results for understanding the connection between narcissistic personality features and sexually aggressive behavior. It is unfortunately common for individuals to either feel pressured or be forced to engage in sexual activities against their will. These unwanted sexual experiences are often separated into those involving the use of physical force (i.e., sexual aggression) and those that do not involve physical force (i.e., sexual coercion). Sexual aggression is generally considered to be the more severe and harmful of these behaviors and it is accompanied by clear legal consequences for perpetrators. This type of behavior includes events such as forcible rape, drug-facilitated rape, and incapacitated rape (Kilpatrick, Resnick, Ruggiero, Conoscenti, & McCauley, 2007). A great deal of