Internalizing problems and their impact on the relation between callous‐unemotional traits, narcissism, and aggression

Abstract

Narcissism and callous‐unemotional (CU) traits have demonstrated relations with youth aggression across studies. However, different forms of narcissism and internalizing problems may exacerbate the relation between CU traits and aggression. To that end, the current study examined the degree to which interactions among internalizing problems, CU traits, and dimensions of narcissism related to aggression in a sample of 219 adolescents (83.1% males), ages 16–19, enrolled in a military‐style residential program. Consistent with previous research, psychopathy‐linked narcissism significantly moderated the relation between CU traits and aggression. Addtionally, self‐reported aggression was highest among adolescents who endorsed high levels of CU traits, psychopathy‐linked narcissism, and internalizing problems. The same pattern of results was not evident for other forms of narcissism. These results suggest that internalizing problems further increase the probability of aggression among adolescents with psychopathic tendencies (i.e., CU traits, psychopathy‐linked narcissism). Further implications are discussed.

Skin Conductance Responses to a Discrete Threat in Virtual Reality: Associations with Psychopathy and Anxiety

“…Our results for the narcissism dimension are consistent with earlier work showing that participants who score higher on the narcissism dimension experience greater anxiety (Barry & Malkin, 2010 ; Lee-Rowland et al, 2020 ). Lee-Rowland et al ( 2020 ) proposed that youths with high levels of narcissism may exert superiority over others and protect their self-image due to a sense of insecurity and high levels of anxiety. This tendency to exert superiority over others may lead to increased aggressiveness and attempts to dominate others (Barry et al, 2007 ; Golmaryami & Barry, 2010 ; Washburn et al, 2004 ).…”

Stability of self-reported psychopathic traits in at-risk adolescents in youth welfare and juvenile justice institutions

“…Furthermore, internalizing mental health problems—which often manifest as symptoms of anxiety and depression—were negatively associated with higher levels of CU traits at t2. This is in line with the concept of the primary variant subgroup of youth with CU traits which is associated with low levels of anxiety, trauma, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [ 38 ]. Current knowledge regarding the dimensions of psychopathy is, that the interpersonal facet is associated with a lack of internalizing symptoms and somewhat enhanced proneness to externalizing problems [ 39 ].…”

Personalidad psicopática en adultos varones recluidos en penitenciarias: Relación con bullying y personalidad oscura

“…Esto puede explicarse debido a que trabajos anteriores han encontrado una relación de estas características con el factor II -estilo de vida antisocial-más que con el factor I -baja afectividad interpersonal- (Walters, 2012), a diferencia del instrumento utilizado en esta investigación que se centra solamente en el factor I (orientado a la falta de empatía y problemas vinculares). Por otro lado, las correlaciones con otros instrumentos de personalidad oscura con los rasgos de falta de sensibilidad, están bien establecidas por trabajos anteriores (Lee-Rowland et al, 2020).…”