In the mind of Narcissus: The Mediating Role of Emotional Regulation in the Emergence of Distorted Cognitions

Abstract

Currently narcissism is considered one of the most widespread modern "diseases". As a consequence, its different types (grandiose and vulnerable narcissism) have been approached from several different perspectives. The present research attempts to investigate the differences between the two types of narcissism and their links with different cognitive components that are connected to these personality traits. The primary aim of our study is to investigate the maladaptive schemas (entitlement, vulnerability, emotional deprivation) and cognitive evaluation systems (self-esteem, systemizing-empathizing) associated with narcissism. In order to ensure the associations of the observed constructs, we used correlational and a specific form of structural equation modelling (SEM), pathway analysis.The results show that the early maladaptive schemas have a large impact on the development of narcissism and on the empathizing system. The different subtypes of narcissism have different effects on self-esteem, while gender and age have a minor effect on self-esteem and the empathizing system too. Hopefully, these empirical results can be applied in counselling as well as in clinical practice.