Peer Perceptions of Communal Narcissism and Communalism in At-Risk Adolescents

The present study extended research on the relation of communal narcissism in adolescents with self- and peer-reported personality and behavior. Although communal narcissism may be associated with negative peer perceptions, a communal orientation that does not also convey superiority (i.e., communalism) may be viewed more favorably. Self- and peer-perceptions were investigated as a function of communal narcissism and a non-narcissistic communal orientation (i.e., by altering the Communal Narcissism Inventory to reflect more humble self-views). Participants were 246 adolescents, ages 16–19 years, who were attending a quasi-military residential program for youth who have dropped out, or were at-risk of dropping out, of school. Communal narcissism and communalism were significantly interrelated. Communal narcissism was negatively associated with unique variance in self-reported empathy, whereas communalism was positively associated with self-reported empathy and more strongly related to peer-reported prosociality. The role of superiority in communal domains in adolescent self-perception and peer relationships is discussed.