How do different dimensions of adolescent narcissism impact the relation between callous‐unemotional traits and self‐reported aggression?

Abstract

The current study examined the moderating influence that different aspects of narcissism have on the relation between callous-unemotional (CU) traits and aggression in a sample of 720 adolescents (500 males), ages 16-19 enrolled in a 22-week residential program. Findings from the two studies revealed that psychopathy-linked narcissism as assessed by the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD; Frick & Hare, 2001; Antisocial process screening device. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems.) and vulnerable narcissism as assessed using the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI; Pincus et al., 2009; Initial construction and validation of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory. Psychological Assessment, 21, 365-379) significantly moderated the relation between CU traits and aggression in adolescents. Conversely, non-pathological narcissism assessed by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory for Children (NPIC; Barry, Frick, & Killian, 2003; The relation of narcissism and self-esteem to conduct problems in children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 32, 139-152) and PNI grandiose narcissism did not significantly impact this relation. These results suggest that forms of narcissism most closely connected to internalizing problems combined with CU traits are associated with relatively heightened aggression in youth. The implications of these findings are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 43:14-25, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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

“…As noted, previous research demonstrated that when youth exhibit both high levels of CU traits and psychopathy‐linked narcissism or vulnerable narcissism, they are more likely to engage in higher levels of aggression (see Lee‐Rowland et al, 2017). Notably, normal narcissism did not have the same effect.…”

“…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.…”

“…To extend this research, Lee‐Rowland et al (2017) investigated the degree to which different forms of narcissism moderate the association between CU traits and aggression among adolescents. Findings revealed that psychopathy‐linked narcissism and vulnerable narcissism moderated this relation such that they were associated with higher levels of aggression for youth who also displayed high levels of CU traits.…”

“…Findings revealed that psychopathy‐linked narcissism and vulnerable narcissism moderated this relation such that they were associated with higher levels of aggression for youth who also displayed high levels of CU traits. Lee‐Rowland et al (2017) proposed that internalizing problems may be a common thread between psychopathy‐linked and vulnerable narcissism that helps explain this effect.…”

“…This pattern may be due to the fact that normal narcissism is not related to internalizing issues, such as low self‐esteem and anxiety. As such, maladaptive self‐regulation strategies in the face of distress or threats to self‐esteem may not play the same role in aggression for individuals with features of normal narcissism (Lee‐Rowland et al, 2017).…”