Nonpathological and Pathological Narcissism: Which Self-Reported Characteristics Are Most Problematic in Adolescents?

Abstract

Prior research indicates that dimensions of adolescent narcissism differ in their associations with indicators of positive and negative psychological functioning (e.g., Barry, Frick, Adler, & Grafeman, 2007 ; Barry & Wallace, 2010 ). This study investigated correlates of 2 empirically derived factors of adolescent narcissism (i.e., pathological and nonpathological narcissism) from 2 measures thought to differ based on their inclusion of pathological versus nonpathological content. In a sample of 188 at-risk adolescents ages 16 to 18, pathological narcissism was associated with various indicators of maladjustment, including aggression, low self-esteem, internalizing problems, and poor perceived interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, nonpathological narcissism was positively associated with self-esteem and aggression but negatively associated with internalizing problems. The implications for the conceptualization of adolescent narcissism are discussed.

A Comprehensive Examination of Narcissists’ Self-Perceived and Actual Socioemotional Cognition Ability

“…Grandiose narcissism 2 is a multifaceted construct consisting of several interrelated aspects. Although conceptual and taxonomic questions (as to the exact number, nature, and labeling of these dimensions) are a matter of an ongoing debate (e.g., Back et al, 2013;Barry & Kauten, 2014;Brown, Budzek, & Tamborski, 2009;Miller & Campbell, 2008), researchers have recognized that not all aspects of narcissism are associated with negative emotional or behavioral outcomes (e.g., Back, Schmukle, & Egloff, 2010;Back et al, 2013;Barry, Frick, Adler, & Grafeman, 2007;Barry & Wallace, 2010;Campbell, 2001;Campbell & Campbell, 2009;Rose, 2002;Washburn, McMahon, King, Reinecke, & Silver, 2004;Wink, 1991). These findings have also inspired researchers to acknowledge that the heterogeneity of the narcissism construct has to be taken into consideration when examining its associated correlates (e.g., Back et al, 2013;Brown et al, 2009;Krizan & Herlache, 2018;Miller, Lynam, Hyatt, & Campbell, 2017;Wright & Edershile, 2018), especially in the domain of SECA (Vonk et al, 2013).…”

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

“…Narcissism is characterized by a sense of entitlement, superiority, and grandiose self‐image (Morf & Rhodewalt, 2001; Wink, 1991). Notably, narcissism is multidimensional in nature, with prior research describing psychopathy‐linked, normal, and pathological dimensions based largely on how they are measured (e.g., Barry, & Kauten, 2014; Barry & Wallace, 2010; Miller & Campbell, 2011; Pincus et al, 2009). More so than the other forms of narcissism, psychopathy‐linked narcissism is primarily characterized by one's outward behaviors (e.g., bragging, becoming angry when criticized; Barry & Wallace, 2010; Reiter, Barry, & Odom‐Dixon, 2018).…”

“…Aggression may be one such strategy that individuals high in narcissism use to rebuild their self‐esteem and sense of superiority over others if these self‐perceptions have been threatened (Morf & Rhodewalt, 2001). Psychopathy‐linked narcissism (Barry et al, 2007; Kerig & Stellwagen, 2010), normal narcissism (e.g., Barry, Kauten, & Lui, 2014), and pathological narcissism (Barry & Kauten, 2014; Lee‐Rowland, Barry, Gillen, & Hansen, 2017) have all been associated with youth aggression. Moreover, different aspects of narcissism may translate to aggression in adolescents from different processes.…”

preprint_A Comprehensive Examination of Narcissists’ Self-Perceived and Actual Socioemotional Cognition Ability

“…Although conceptual and taxonomic questions (as to the exact number, nature, and labeling of these dimensions) are a matter of an ongoing debate (e.g., Back et al, 2013;Barry & Kauten, 2014;Brown, Budzek, & Tamborski, 2009;Miller & Campbell, 2008), NARCISSISTS' SOCIOEMOTIONAL COGNITION ABILITY 12 researchers have recognized that not all aspects of narcissism are associated with negative emotional or behavioral outcomes (e.g., Back, Schmukle, & Egloff, 2010;Back et al, 2013;Barry, Frick, Adler, & Grafeman, 2007;Barry & Wallace, 2010;Campbell, 2001;Campbell & Campbell, 2009;Rose, 2002;Washburn, McMahon, King, Reinecke, & Silver, 2004;Wink, 1991). These findings have also inspired researchers to acknowledge that the heterogeneity of the narcissism construct has to be taken into consideration when examining its associated correlates (e.g., Brown et al, 2009;Krizan & Herlache, 2018;Miller, Lynam, Hyatt, & Campbell, 2017;Wright & Edershile, 2018), especially in the domain of SECA (Vonk et al, 2013).…”