The importance of narcissism in predicting proactive and reactive aggression in moderately to highly aggressive children

Abstract

The present study examined the importance of psychopathy-linked narcissism in predicting proactive and reactive aggression and conduct problems in a group of 160 moderately to highly aggressive children (mean age of 10 years, 9 months). Children's self-report of self-esteem and parent and teacher report of dimensions of psychopathy [narcissism, callous-unemotional (CU) traits, and impulsivity], proactive and reactive aggression, and conduct problems were collected. Composites of parent and teacher ratings of children's behavior were used. Consistent with the study's hypotheses, narcissism predicted unique variance in both proactive and reactive aggression, even when controlling for other dimensions of psychopathy, demographic variables associated with narcissism, and the alternative subtype of aggression. As hypothesized, impulsivity was significantly associated with only reactive aggression. CU traits were not related to proactive or reactive aggression once the control variables were entered. All dimensions of psychopathy predicted unique variance in conduct problems. Consistent with prediction, narcissism was not significantly related to general self-esteem, providing support that narcissism and self-esteem are different constructs. Furthermore, narcissism and self-esteem related differentially to proactive aggression, reactive aggression, and conduct problems. Furthermore, narcissism but not self-esteem accounted for unique variance in aggression and conduct problems. The importance of narcissism in the prediction of aggressive behaviors and clinical implications are discussed.

Exploring Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Machiavellianism in Youth: Examination of Associations with Antisocial Behavior and Aggression

“…In addition, they showed that narcissism positively predicted conduct problems, after controlling for CU traits. In a second study using 160 at-risk youth (mean age 10 years, 9 months), narcissism was found to uniquely and positively predict proactive and reactive aggression, and conduct problems, after controlling for CU traits, and impulsivity (Barry, Thompson et al, 2007). In a third study utilizing a sample of at-risk 16 to 18 year olds, Barry, Grafeman and colleagues (2007), found narcissism to positively predict delinquency, overt aggression and relational aggression.…”

“…This combination of narcissistic traits with emotional and behavioral dysregulation may make youth especially unstable and volatile, committing acts of aggressive behavior as a result of intense anger and poor impulse control due to perceived slights to their self-image. This type of retaliatory aggressive behavior, also known as reactive aggression, has been previously associated with youth high in narcissistic traits (Barry, Thompson et al, 2007).…”

“…Accordingly, in children and adolescents, narcissism has been associated with high self-esteem , increased aggression (proactive and reactive, and overt and relational), conduct problems and delinquency (Barry, Frick et al, 2007;Barry, Frick, & Killian, 2003;Barry, Grafeman, Adler, & Pickard, 2007;Barry, Thompson et al, 2007;Washburn, McMahon, King, Reinecke, & Silver, 2004).…”

“…Narcissism has been demonstrated to differentiate between aggressive and non-aggressive students (Ang & Yusof, 2005), and to predict delinquency and be associated with future externalizing behaviors in children (Donnellan, Trzesniewski, Robins, Moffitt, & Caspi, 2005). Barry and colleagues Barry, Frick et al, 2007;Barry, Thompson et al, 2007;Barry, Pickard, & Ansel, 2009) examined the relationship between narcissism and self-esteem in predicting delinquency, conduct problems, overt aggression and relational aggression in a series of studies. In one study using non-referred youth aged 9 to 15 years old, Barry and colleagues (2003) found both high narcissistic traits and low self-esteem were associated with higher levels of conduct problems.…”

Interpersonal and Affective Dimensions of Psychopathic Traits in Adolescents: Development and Validation of a Self-Report Instrument

“…Nevertheless, because individuals can often present with psychopathic traits before reaching the age of 18 years [13] there has been increasing numbers of studies conducted over the past decade using the term psychopathic traits [11,14]. This research shows that psychopathic traits in adolescent offenders are associated with more severe and persistent forms of antisocial behavior [15,16], greater versatility in offending, and higher rates of violent crimes [17] than in other offenders.…”