Dimensions Of Narcissism Research Articles

Delay discounting and narcissism: A meta-analysis with implications for narcissistic personality disorder.

Several psychiatric conditions (e.g., substance use, mood, and personality disorders) are characterized, in part, by greater delay discounting (DD)-a decision-making bias in the direction of preferring smaller, more immediate over larger, delayed rewards. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is highly comorbid with substance use, mood, and other personality disorders, suggesting that DD may be a process underpinning risk for NPD as well. This meta-analysis examined associations between DD and theoretically distinct, clinically relevant dimensions of narcissism (i.e., grandiosity, entitlement, and vulnerability). Literature searches were conducted and articles were included if they were written in English, published in a peer-reviewed journal, contained measures of DD and narcissism and reported their association, and used an adult sample. Narcissism measures had to be systematically categorized according to clinically relevant dimensions (Grijalva et al., 2015; Wright & Edershile, 2018). Seven studies met inclusion criteria (N = 2,705). DD was positively associated with narcissism (r = .21; 95% confidence interval [.10, .32]), with this association being largely attributable to measures of trait grandiosity that were used in each study (r = .24; 95% confidence interval [.11, .37]). No studies included diagnostic NPD assessments. These findings provide empirical evidence that DD is related to trait narcissism and perhaps risk for NPD (e.g., grandiosity listed in Criterion B of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, alternative model of personality disorders). Considering the positive evidence from this review, and the dearth of research examining DD in individuals with NPD, investigators studying NPD may consider incorporating DD measures in future studies to potentially inform clinical theory and novel adjunctive treatment options. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Narcissistic Personality and Its Relationship with Post-Traumatic Symptoms and Emotional Factors: Results of a Mediational Analysis Aimed at Personalizing Mental Health Treatment.

Background: Narcissism is characterized by entitlement, grandiose fantasies and the need for admiration. This personality trait has been associated with both traumatic experiences and emotional problems. Most studies have only focused on narcissism in the context of childhood trauma and negative emotional factors. However, dimensions of grandiose narcissism such as authority have been linked to adaptive outcomes. Furthermore, narcissism might not be linked only to negative childhood experiences; it may also be associated with the presence of post-traumatic symptoms. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the associations between narcissism and the frequency and severity of post-traumatic symptoms and emotional factors (resilience capacity, emotional regulation, positive and negative affect, intolerance of uncertainty and perceived stress), as well as the possible mediational role of the latter in the relationship between narcissism and post-traumatic symptoms. Method: A total of 115 healthy young psychology undergraduates and their relatives, aged from 18 to 40 years, were asked to complete a set of questionnaires to evaluate the aforementioned variables. Results: The results showed that most of the grandiose narcissism dimensions were positively related to emotional adaptive outcomes, except exploitativeness and entitlement. The negative associations observed between the frequency and severity of post-traumatic symptoms and narcissism (self-sufficiency) were mediated by affect and resilience, which were in turn positively associated with the majority of the narcissism dimensions. Both positive affect and resilience were important factors mediating the association between grandiose narcissism and post-traumatic symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings reaffirm the need to assess not only desirable personality traits, but also ones that are not initially desirable, before pathologizing them. This consideration may be essential to achieve a personalized approach to the prevention of mental health problems, and promotion of positive emotions, in the general population.

Perceptions of narcissism in college professors

ABSTRACT We conducted three studies to examine perceptions of grandiose narcissism in college professors. Narcissism might appear incompatible with the profession if professors are viewed fundamentally as helpers or as introverted bookworms. Then again, people might expect professors to display big egos congruent with the prestige of their profession and their privileged public platforms. Our research indicates that professors are generally not seen as highly narcissistic according to the criteria of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, though they are viewed as more narcissistic than elementary school teachers. More professor narcissism was expected at colleges that prioritize scholarly productivity over teaching excellence. Male professors were viewed as more narcissistic, but only for narcissism dimensions associated with interpersonal hostility and for judgments of whether professors are “narcissistic.” We discuss possible implications for narcissistic professors’ ability to exploit the gap between academic ideals and reward system realities.

Why Narcissism Reduces Distress: The Consequences of Narcissistic Intellectual Self-Confidence.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between grandiose narcissism and the feeling of distress. We referred to the narcissistic admiration and rivalry model. We hypothesized that people with high narcissistic admiration would experience less distress and fear and that intellectual self-confidence would account for this relationship. We examined two dimensions of grandiose narcissism using Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, self-assessed intelligence, and various aspects of distress in two studies. In Study 1 (N = 170), we assessed distress (with the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire), related to performance in an intelligence test (Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices), and in Study 2 (N = 258) we measured fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In both studies, narcissistic admiration was inversely related to distress/fear, and this relationship was fully mediated by self-assessed intelligence. Narcissistic rivalry was unrelated to both distress and self-assessed intelligence. These findings emphasize the importance of self-views related to intelligence for those with high narcissistic admiration. In particular, intellectual self- confidence plays an important role in reducing distress among narcissists.

The Mediating Role of Autobiographical Memory in the Relationship Between Narcissism and Rejection Sensitivity.

Both grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic individuals perceive a threat to the self when they face real or imaginary rejection. The sensitivity to rejection may affect them differently. Thus, this research examines the role of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in the retrieval of self-threatening memories. The study aims to test the mediating role of autobiographical memory (AM) in the relationship between rejection sensitivity (RS) and two dimensions of narcissism. A total of 369 university students (ages between 18 and 32) participated in the study. The Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire was applied to the participants, triggering the memory of positive and negative autobiographical rejection. Then, the Autobiographical Memory Characteristics Questionnaire and the Pathological Narcissism Inventory were applied. The results showed that the autobiographical memory characteristics differ depending on the dimension of narcissism when they face rejection. This changes depending on having positive or negative content as well as recalling the sensory details especially emotional characteristics of the AM. The use of AM as a mediator in the relationship between narcissism and rejection sensitivity has provided a viewpoint beyond experimental and relational studies. The results have shed light on the role of narcissism and RS in the processing of autobiographical memories.

The relationship between narcissistic admiration, narcissistic rivalry and selfitis behaviors: The mediating roles of fear of missing out and general belongingness

Selfie behavior is defined as taking a photo of oneself via a mobile phone and sharing it on social media. The personality traits or psychological processes related to selfie behavior have become a recent interest in psychology. In this study; the mediating role of fear of missing out and general belongingness in the relationship between narcissistic admiration/narcissistic rivalry and selfitis behaviors was examined. 440 Instagram users aged between 18 and 65 (74% Female) participated in the study online. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Scale, Selfitis Behavior Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale, and General Belongingness Scale. Results indicated that narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry are positively correlated with selfitis behaviors. The indirect effect of narcissistic admiration on selfitis behaviors was significant through fear of missing out and general belongingness. On the other hand, while fear of missing out mediated the relationship between narcissistic rivalry and obsessive selfitis behaviors; the mediating role of general belongingness was not significant. Findings indicated that different dimensions of narcissism may affect selfitis behaviors depending on an individual’s different psychological processes. It can be argued that selfie behaviors may be a way of establishing interpersonal relationships on social media. The current study focused on a single social media application and selfie behaviors only. For this reason, it is suggested to examine social media behaviors in the context of different social media applications.

Narcissistic traits and romantic relationship outcomes: A short daily diary investigation

Narcissism has been linked to several negative outcomes in romantic relationships. However, previous literature has mostly focused on grandiosity as opposed to other phenotypic expressions of narcissism. Using a daily diary design with differently-gendered romantic couples (N = 108 dyads) in an established relationship (i.e., ≥ 3 months), this research investigated the differential relations of grandiosity, entitlement, and vulnerability with outcomes linked to romantic relationship maintenance. Grandiosity was not linked to any romantic relationship outcomes. Participants with higher entitlement reported greater non-sexual jealousy and availability of alternatives. Participants with higher vulnerability reported greater non-sexual jealousy and less relationship satisfaction. This research suggests somewhat distinct nomological networks for the three narcissism dimensions.

Don't set me off—grandiose and vulnerable dimensions of narcissism are associated with different forms of aggression: A multivariate regression analysis

Don't set me off—grandiose and vulnerable dimensions of narcissism are associated with different forms of aggression: A multivariate regression analysis

Investigating pathological narcissism and loneliness, and the link with life satisfaction.

Loneliness is a significant health concern that may be influenced by dispositional features. Pathological narcissism may elevate loneliness through aversive interpersonal behaviors and negative social appraisals. The present study examined two dimensions of pathological narcissism, along with five-factor personality traits, in relation to loneliness among 120 young adults. Loneliness was also examined as a mediator between pathological narcissism and satisfaction with life. Narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability were both significantly associated with loneliness. Multiple regression analysis, including five-factor traits, revealed narcissistic vulnerability to be uniquely associated with loneliness, along with neuroticism. Mediation analysis also found an indirect effect of narcissistic vulnerability on reduced satisfaction with life, through loneliness as a mediator. These preliminary findings point to future research needs and potential clinical consideration of narcissistic vulnerability as a dispositional risk factor for loneliness.

The mediating role of narcissism in the effects of regulatory mode on positivity

Positivity (i.e., the individual tendency to positively approach life experiences) has proven to be an effective construct applied in positive psychology. However, individuals’ self-regulation may have contrasting effects on positivity. We specifically examined whether positivity could be partially explained through two aspects of motivation concerned with self-regulation: locomotion (i.e., a motivational orientation concerned with movement) and assessment (i.e., a motivational orientation concerned with comparison and evaluation). Furthermore, based on previous literature that found a link between these aspects and narcissism, we examined whether “adaptive” and “maladaptive” dimensions of narcissism could mediate the effects of locomotion and assessment on increased or decreased positivity. Narcissism was defined by previous research as adaptive or maladaptive insofar as it leads or does not lead to increased psychological well-being. We estimated a mediation model with multiple independent variables and multiple mediators in a cross-sectional study with self-reported data from 190 university students. We found that both locomotion and assessment were associated with adaptive narcissism, which in turn was positively associated with positivity. However, assessment was also associated with maladaptive narcissism, which in turn was negatively associated with positivity. Relationships between aspects of self-regulation, narcissism, and positivity can have significant implications which will be discussed.

CEO narcissism, top management team transactive memory systems, and firm performance: an upper echelons perspective on CEO admiration and rivalry narcissism

ABSTRACT A growing body of conceptual and empirical research has drawn on transactive memory systems (TMS) theory to understand the functioning of a wide range of teams, including top management teams (TMTs). At the same time, there has been increasing interest in how personality factors, and in particular chief executive officer (CEO) narcissism, shape corporate decision-making, and behaviour in TMTs. However, these streams of research have developed independently from one another. Leveraging a sample of 64 firms, we integrate TMS theory and upper echelons theory to explain how the performance consequences of TMTs are shaped by two competing dimensions of CEO narcissism: admiration-based narcissism and rivalry-based narcissism. CEO narcissism is an important area of research because of the strategic implications of the impact that this personality trait can have on the functioning of the TMT. We find that TMT TMS has a positive influence on firm performance at higher levels of admiration-based narcissism, but not rivalry-based narcissism. With this focus, we provide further substantiation of the firm-performance implications of TMS, and the critical role played by a dimensional focus on CEO narcissism in the TMS context.

The link between narcissism and aggression: A meta-analytic review.

This meta-analytic review examines the link between narcissism and aggression, and whether the link is stronger under provocation conditions. A total of 437 independent studies were located, which included 123,043 participants. Narcissism was related to both aggression (r = .26, [.24, .28]) and violence (r = .23, [.18, .27]). As expected, the narcissism-aggression link was stronger under provocation conditions (r = .29, [.23, .36]) than under no provocation conditions (r = .12, [.05, .18]), but was even significant in the absence of provocation. Both "normal" and "pathological" narcissism were related to aggression. All three dimensions of narcissism (i.e., entitlement, grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism) were related to aggression. Narcissism was related to all forms of aggression (i.e., indirect, direct, displaced, physical, verbal, bullying), and to both functions of aggression (i.e., reactive, proactive). The relation between narcissism and aggression was significant for males and females, for people of all ages, for students and nonstudents, and for people from individualistic and collectivistic countries. Significant results were obtained in experimental, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies, in published and unpublished studies, and in studies that assessed aggression using different types of measures (i.e., self-report, other-report, observation). Overall results were robust to publication bias and the presence of outliers. Theoretically, these results indicate that provocation is a key moderator of the link between narcissism and aggression. Individuals high in narcissism have "thin skins" and are prone to aggression when they are provoked. Practically, these results suggest that narcissism is an important risk factor for aggression and violence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Dimensions of pathological narcissism and intention to vote for Donald Trump.

Pathological narcissism is a term often applied to former President Donald Trump, but it has been less examined as a potential predictor of voting for him. Trump projects a grandiose and omnipotent self-image during press conferences and rallies, and his followers at these events often respond with both effusive admiration and an inflated sense of their own self-regard, all of which are aspects of narcissism. However, while Trump’s personal narcissism has been well documented, there is little research on the narcissism of his supporters. In this study we conducted an exploratory analysis examining the hierarchical structure of pathological narcissism and which aspects of narcissism within that structure were associated with intended voting for Trump in the 2020 U.S. presidential election in a sample of U.S. residents collected online (N = 495) using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Results indicated that an eight-echelon hierarchy best fit the data. Within this hierarchy, antagonistic and indifferent aspects of narcissism within the fifth echelon best predicted intended voting for Trump over and above relevant demographic variables. These results have implications for the study of narcissism and, especially given the results of the 2020 election, the degree to which one can make use of narcissistic aspects of personality in political contests.

The moderating effect of intolerance of uncertainty on the relation between narcissism and aggression

This study examined the moderating role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in the association between narcissism (i.e., grandiose, vulnerable, psychopathic) and aggression (i.e., proactive, reactive). The sample consisted of 310 participants, ages 18 to 30. Consistent with previous research, the three dimensions of narcissism were associated with both functions of aggression. Additionally, IU significantly moderated the relations of vulnerable and psychopathic narcissism with proactive aggression such that the highest aggression was endorsed among participants with high levels of narcissism and IU. The same pattern was evident for self-reported IU in social situations when overall IU was controlled. These findings indicate that IU can affect the relation between narcissism and proactive aggression.

Shades of narcissistic love: Relations between narcissism dimensions and love styles

This study (N = 347) aimed to reconsider relations between narcissism and love styles by viewing narcissism as a multidimensional trait including narcissistic grandiosity, vulnerability, admiration, rivalry, and communal narcissism. The results showed that mania correlated with all narcissism dimensions and that mania and ludus were best explained by the combination of narcissistic vulnerability and rivalry. Furthermore, eros, agape, and pragma styles were the best explained by the combination of admiration and communal narcissism, highlighting different self-enhancing strategies that grandiose narcissists use in their relationships. The results shed light on the complexity of relations between love styles and narcissism when considering the multidimensionality of narcissism.

Positional preferences and narcissism: evidence from ‘money burning’ dictator games

ABSTRACT We study the relationship between positional preferences (i.e., preferences concerning the relative rank or position in comparison to others) and narcissism. We use six ‘money burning’ mini-dictator games to measure positional preferences. Two dimensions of narcissism are distinguished: narcissistic admiration (self-enhancement through searching for being admired) and narcissistic rivalry (self-defence through an antagonistic orientation towards others). Controlling for other relevant individual characteristics such as the Big Five personality traits and gender, we find evidence that narcissistic admiration is a negative predictor and narcissistic rivalry a positive predictor of positional preferences. We further find exploratory evidence that studying business or economics as a major (versus minor) subject is associated with less positional preferences and that the relationships between narcissism and positional preferences are mediated by decision makers’ expectations with regard to other players’ choices.

Face Perception and Narcissism: Variations of Event-Related Potential Components (P1 & N170) with Admiration and Rivalry

Previous studies have demonstrated that highly narcissistic individuals perceive themselves as grandiose and devaluate and sometimes overvalue others. These results are mainly based on behavioural data, but we still know little about the neural correlates underlying, such as perceptional processes. To this end, we investigated event-related potential components (ERP) of visual face processing (P1 and N170) and their variations with narcissism. Participants (N = 59) completed the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire and were shown pictures of their own face, a celebrity’s face, and a stranger’s face. Variations of P1 and N170 with Admiration and Rivalry were analysed using multilevel models. Results revealed moderating effects of both narcissism dimensions on the ERP components of interest. Participants with either high Admiration or low Rivalry scores showed a lower P1 amplitude when viewing their own face compared with when viewing a celebrity’s face. Moreover, the Self-Stranger difference in the N170 component (higher N170 amplitude in the Self condition) was larger for higher Rivalry scores. The findings showed, for the first time, variations of both narcissism dimensions with ERPs of early face processing. We related these effects to processes of attentional selection, an expectancy-driven perception, and the mobilisation of defensive systems. The results demonstrated that by linking self-report instruments to P1 and N170, and possibly to other ERP components, we might better understand self- and other-perception in narcissism.

Normal Personality, the Dark Triad, Proactive Attitude and Perceived Employability: A Cross-Cultural Study in Belgium, Switzerland and Togo.

The current research examined the link between both normal and malevolent personality, proactive attitude, and self-perceived employability across some highly investigated (Belgium, Switzerland) and under-investigated populations of sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Togo), considering proactive attitude as a potential mediator and self-perceived employability as an outcome. Conducting such a study in contexts which present notable differences in political organization and linguistic diversity, might contribute to enriching the literature on the relationships between personality and self-perceived employability. A sample of 968 participants aged 18 to 85 including 335 Belgians (50% women), 279 Swiss (58.1% women) and 354 Togolese (43.5% women) completed a French version of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire (ZKA-PQ/SF), Short Dark Triad (SD3), Proactive Attitude Scale (PAS), and Perceived Employability Scale (PES). All four instruments exhibited metric invariance but did not systematically show scalar invariance across the three countries. ZKA-PQ/SF’s activity and neuroticism and SD3’s narcissism dimensions predicted perceived employability, and these relations were fully or partially mediated by proactive attitude in all cultural contexts. Moreover, perceived employability was predicted by aggressiveness and psychopathy in the Swiss sample and by sensation seeking in both the Swiss and the Belgian samples. Finally, proactive attitude fully mediated between sensation seeking and employability in Belgium and partially between psychopathy and employability in Switzerland. This study illustrates that the link between personality and employability may be mediated by proactive attitude and that these links may be quite robust across cultures.

Revisiting narcissism and contingent self-esteem: A test of the psychodynamic mask model

The “psychodynamic mask model” of narcissism posits that narcissists' self-esteem is inherently fragile. Available research provides inconsistent and ambiguous support for this model. In light of weaknesses associated with some previous tests, we provided novel evidence on whether narcissism dimensions relate to an indicator of “contingent self-esteem;” here, contingent self-esteem was operationally defined as the literal relation between self-esteem and self-reported satisfaction in various life domains. Using a sample of 450 MTurk participants, we examined whether several narcissism constructs moderate the relation between self-esteem and self-reported satisfaction in various life domains. In general, relations between self-esteem and satisfaction in various life domains decreased as a function of two different indicators of grandiose narcissism; by contrast, relations between self-esteem and satisfaction in various life domains were generally enhanced (albeit weakly and non-significantly) as a function of a vulnerable narcissism indicator. In sum, grandiose narcissism appeared related to reduced contingent self-esteem and vulnerable narcissism appeared mostly unrelated to contingent self-esteem. We discuss these findings in relation to previous evidence on narcissism and contingent self-esteem and evaluating the mask model.

Adaptive and maladaptive narcissism, charisma, and leadership performance: A study of perceptions about the presidential leadership of Donald Trump

The current study examines the effects of perceptions of leader adaptive and maladaptive narcissism on ratings of charisma and presidential leadership performance for Donald Trump by registered voters. We present a model examining differing dimensions of narcissism, and their effects on attributed charisma and perceptions of leadership performance for Donald Trump. Structural equation modeling results reveal positive effects of adaptive narcissism on attributed charisma and leadership performance of Donald Trump; and negative effects of maladaptive narcissism on attributed charisma and leadership performance of Donald Trump. Perceived adaptive and maladaptive narcissism had indirect effects on leadership performance (through attributed charisma). The contributions made to the literature, implications of the findings, and directions for future research are discussed.