Puffed-up but shaky selves: State self-esteem level and variability in narcissists.

Abstract

Different theoretical conceptualizations characterize grandiose narcissists by high, yet fragile self-esteem. Empirical evidence, however, has been inconsistent, particularly regarding the relationship between narcissism and self-esteem fragility (i.e., self-esteem variability). Here, we aim at unraveling this inconsistency by disentangling the effects of two theoretically distinct facets of narcissism (i.e., admiration and rivalry) on the two aspects of state self-esteem (i.e., level and variability). We report on data from a laboratory-based and two field-based studies (total N = 596) in realistic social contexts, capturing momentary, daily, and weekly fluctuations of state self-esteem. To estimate unbiased effects of narcissism on the level and variability of self-esteem within one model, we applied mixed-effects location scale models. Results of the three studies and their meta-analytical integration indicated that narcissism is positively linked to self-esteem level and variability. When distinguishing between admiration and rivalry, however, an important dissociation was identified: Admiration was related to high (and rather stable) levels of state self-esteem, whereas rivalry was related to (rather low and) fragile self-esteem. Analyses on underlying processes suggest that effects of rivalry on self-esteem variability are based on stronger decreases in self-esteem from one assessment to the next, particularly after a perceived lack of social inclusion. The revealed differentiated effects of admiration and rivalry explain why the analysis of narcissism as a unitary concept has led to the inconsistent past findings and provide deeper insights into the intrapersonal dynamics of grandiose narcissism governing state self-esteem. (PsycINFO Database Record

Interpersonal Dynamics in Personality and Personality Disorders

“…However, subsequent research suggested that the grandiosity scale had a different pattern of correlation than other narcissism instruments emphasizing grandiosity (Miller et al, ; Miller, Lynam, & Campbell, ) and that the vulnerability construct was empirically similar to neuroticism, which raised concerns about discriminating narcissistic and borderline PDs (Miller et al, ). This attention to the multidimensionality of narcissism was associated with a variety of interesting programs of research on the measurement (Back et al, ; Glover, Miller, Lynam, Crego, & Widiger, ; Roche, Pincus, Lukowitsky, Menard, & Conroy, ), correlates (Miller, Lynam, Hyatt, & Campbell, in press; Morf et al, in press), and dynamics of narcissism (Back et al, ; Geukes et al, ; Leckelt, Küfner, Nestler, & Back, ; Lukowitsky & Pincus, ; Roche, Pincus, Conroy, Hyde, & Ram, ). However, so far, no consensus has emerged regarding how the concept is meaningfully distinct from particular patterns of nomothetic traits (Ackerman et al, ).…”

“…A narrower level of dynamics involves variation from one situation to the next. Studying this level of variation using diaries, smartphones, or automated recording devices has become common in basic (Fleeson, , ; Fournier, Moskowitz, & Zuroff, ; Geukes, Nestler, Hutteman, Dufner, et al, ; Geukes, van Zalk, & Back, ; Moskowitz, Moon‐ho, & Turcotte‐Tremblay, ) and clinical (Ebner‐Priemer et al, ; Roche, Pincus, Rebar, Conroy, & Ram, ; Sadikaj, Moskowitz, & Zuroff, ; Sadikaj, Russell, Moskowitz, & Paris, ; Shiffman, Stone, & Hufford, ; Trull et al, ; Wright et al, ; Wright, Hopwood, & Simms, ; Wright, Scott, Stepp, Hallquist, & Pilkonis, ) research. In clinical psychology, psychotherapists often encourage patients to reflect on the fact that they are different from one situation to the next via comments such as ‘you're talking much less than usual today’ or ‘I have noticed that whenever we have a session in which you get upset, you have a long talk with your wife just afterward’ (Weiner & Bornstein, , p. 205).…”

Issues resolved and unresolved in pathological narcissism

“…Some such research exists, although it has largely focused on self-esteem instability [48][49] or focused solely on grandiosity [50].…”

Will they stay or will they go? Narcissistic admiration and rivalry predict ingroup affiliation and devaluation

“…However, the NARC models the behavioral dynamics of narcissism as two distinct processes related to perceived opportunities (admiration) or threats (rivalry) to maintaining grandiose self‐views. Supporting this multidimensional perspective, narcissistic admiration and rivalry uniquely predict an array of divergent outcomes, including evaluations of others in relationships (Zeigler‐Hill & Trombly, ), the positivity and stability of self‐views (Geukes et al, ), and interpersonal behaviors (Leckelt, Küfner, Nestler, & Back, ).…”