Narcissistic Features in Young Adolescents: Relations to Aggression and Internalizing Symptoms

Abstract

Recent research and theory suggest narcissistic features contribute to aggression in adults. The present study examined the association of narcissistic features with aggression and internalizing symptoms in 233 students of 5th-8th grade at three inner-city schools. A factor analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory in this sample revealed three factors: Adaptive Narcissism, Exploitativeness, and Exhibitionism. Regression analyses were used to predict the association of these three narcissistic features with self-, teacher-, and peer-reported aggression and self-reported internalizing symptoms. Results indicate narcissistic exploitativeness positively predicted self-reported proactive aggression, and narcissistic exhibitionism positively predicted internalizing symptoms. Narcissism and self-esteem interacted to predict teacher-reported aggression and self-reported internalizing symptoms. Results are discussed in the context of existing theories of narcissism, threatened egotism, and self-perception bias.

Structural Validity of the MACI Psychopathy and Narcissism Scales: Evidence of Multidimensionality and Implications for Use in Research and Screening

“…Of importance, it has been suggested that not all components of narcissism are inherently maladaptive or predictive of aggression; rather, certain features of the construct may work to facilitate positive outcomes such as autonomy, individuation, and self-reliance in adolescents as they navigate their transition into adulthood (Stolorow, 1986). Empirical findings have generally supported this claim, showing that only the maladaptive features of narcissism (e.g., entitlement, exploitativeness) are associated with aggression and conduct problems, whereas those features considered to be more adaptive (e.g., authority, self-sufficiency) are unrelated to these types of outcomes (Barry et al, 2003;Washburn et al, 2004).…”

“…The few available studies suggest that narcissism is positively correlated with conduct problems and aggression in children (Barry et al, 2003) and adolescents (Costello & Dunaway, 2003;Salmivalli, Kaukiainen, Kaistaniemi & Laerspetz, 1999;Washburn et al, 2004). For example, among school-age children, Barry and colleagues (2003) found an association between narcissism and features of conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder that was moderated by the child's level of self-esteem, such that children with high levels of narcissism and low self-esteem showed the highest rates of conduct problems.…”

“…For example, among school-age children, Barry and colleagues (2003) found an association between narcissism and features of conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder that was moderated by the child's level of self-esteem, such that children with high levels of narcissism and low self-esteem showed the highest rates of conduct problems. In a related study, Washburn et al (2004) examined the association between narcissism, self-esteem, and aggression in a sample of inner-city youth (ages 10-15 years) and found that narcissistic exploitativeness (defined by overconfidence in one's abilities and a willingness to manipulate others) predicted proactive aggression.…”

“…Despite the theoretical consistency of the three-factor solution, as well as its resemblance to the structure of the NPI (Kubarych, Deary, & Austin, 2004;Washburn et al, 2004), when a CFA was run on this model the Despite the modest fit statistics for the reduced threefactor model, the theoretical significance and interpretability of this model led us to retain it for the purposes of assessing the concurrent validity of the scales in subsequent regression analyses. Standardized item loadings from the CFA for the three-factor model are presented in Table 3 with the factor loading from the EFA.…”

“…Instruments assessing psychopathic personality features, for instance, have received considerable empirical attention over the past decade and appear modestly to robustly correlated with current and future violence among samples of male adolescents (Forth, Kosson, & Hare, 2003;Gretton, Hare, & Catchpole, 2004;Kosson, Cyterski, Steuerwald, Neumann, & WalkerMatthews, 2002). Similarly, measures of narcissism have also been associated with indexes of conduct problems and aggressive behavior in samples of children and adolescents (Barry, Frick, & Killian, 2003;Washburn, McMahon, King, Reinecke, & Silver, 2004). Despite important theoretical and clinical differences between psychopathy and narcissism, they share several features.…”