Development and Factorial Validation of a Short Version of the Narcissism Inventory (NI-20)

Abstract

Background: Narcissism is seen as a normal but heterogeneously formed personality variable, ranging from ‘grandiosity-exhibitionism’ to ‘vulnerability-sensitivity’. This article reports the development and factorial validation of a short version of a narcissism inventory. Sampling and Methods: The sample includes data of 4,509 consecutive psychosomatic inpatients. The overall sample was divided in 2 equally sized randomized subsamples. One sample (n = 2,262) was used for exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis). The other sample (n = 2,265) was used for confirmatory tests of the model fit of the newly built NI-20 version, and to analyze the model fit separately for men and women using structural equation modeling with AMOS software. Results: The short version (NI-20) consists of 20 items, with items representing almost all of the original 18 subscales and 4 second-order dimensions. The NI-20 possesses properties similar to the NI-90, with a considerable gain in test economy. The 4-factor structure of the NI-20 was confirmed, and reaches good fit indices. Conclusions: The NI-20 is an economical instrument with acceptable psychometric characteristics that reflects the heterogeneous aspects of narcissism. A methodological limitation is that the interactions between sociodemographic variables were not included as potential predictors.

The narcissistic self and its psychological and neural correlates: an exploratory fMRI study

“…Our high narcissism group with a mean score of 26.2 is located in the middle between the controls and a group of patients with narcissistic personality disorder (mean=29.2) (Denecke & Hilgenstock, 1989). Daig et al (2010) reported a mean score of 27.8 for a group of psychosomatic out-patients. Thus, our low narcissism group can be regarded as narcissistic below average, whereas the high narcissism group is above average but still below clinical severity.…”

Dopamine and sense of agency: Determinants in personality and substance use

“…It can be seen in the factor of the threatened self, which contains—among others—the aspects of helpless self, worthless self, negative bodily self, and social isolation. These facets embody the vulnerability–sensitivity type [59], the covert form of narcissism. Our results confirm a lower sense of agency in the highest percentile compared to the lowest percentile.…”

“…Our results confirm a lower sense of agency in the highest percentile compared to the lowest percentile. Grandiosity–exhibitionism is represented by the classic narcissistic self [59]. The hypothesis for a stronger sense of agency in people scoring high on this subscale cannot be confirmed.…”

“…Narcissism Inventory . Narcissism is measured by the Short Version of the Narcissism Inventory (NI-20) of Daig et al [59]. The basic concept is the narcissism inventory (NI-90) of Schoeneich et al [60].…”

“…The factor structure was confirmed by an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, it was normed and compared by samples, N = 2262 and N = 2265 [59]. Threatened self represents the vulnerable type and classic narcissistic self the grandiose type; only these two scales will be used for analysis.…”