The Mediating Role of Perfectionism and Defense Mechanisms in The Relationship between Personality Traits and Narcissism

In this study, it is aimed to examine the relationships between perfectionism, defense mechanisms and basic personality traits and vulnerable and grandiose narcissism. Besides, it is aimed to determine the mediating role of defense mechanisms and perfectionism in the relationship between basic personality traits and vulnerable and grandiose narcissism. The sample of the study consists of 403 volunteer participants whose ages are between 18-60. In this study, data were collected by using Demographic Information Form, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40), Basic Personality Traits Inventory (BPTI), and Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory-Short Form (FFNI). Among the continuous variables of the study, it was identified that there were correlations ranging from .09 to .50. In addition, according to the mediation (mediator) analysis results, it was revealed that the immature defense group and concern over mistakes had mediation role in the relationship between negative valence, which is one of the basic personality traits and grandiose narcissism; immature defense group and personal standards had mediation role in the relationship between openness to development and grandiose narcissism. Also, it was found that the immature defense group and concern over mistakes had mediation role in the relationship between negative valence and vulnerable narcissism; the immature defense group, concern over mistakes and doubt about actions had mediation role in the relationship between neuroticism and vulnerable narcissism. It has been observed that total four significant models explain 30% to 38% of the variance. In the light of the current results, the evaluation of some personality traits associated with vulnerable and grandiose narcissism and the effect of immatur defenses and perfectionism in this relationship may contribute positively to the understanding and treatment process of narcissistic personal traits. Keywords Grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, basic personality traits, perfectionism, defense mechanisms

Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, identity integration and self-control related to criminal behavior

Background Although systematic research on narcissism has been conducted for over 100 years, researchers have only recently started to distinguish between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in relation to criminal behavior. In addition, there is some evidence suggesting that identity integration and self-control may underlie this association. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a theory-driven hypothetical model that investigates the complex associations between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, identity integration, self-control, and criminal behavior using structural equation modeling (SEM). Methods The total sample (N = 222) included 65 (29.3%) individuals convicted of criminal behavior and 157 (70.7%) participants from the community, with a mean age of 37.71 years (SD = 13.25). Criminal behavior was a grouping variable used as a categorical outcome, whereas self-report questionnaires were used to assess grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, self-control, and identity integration. Results The overall SEM model yielded good fit indices. Grandiose narcissism negatively predicted criminal behavior above and beyond the influence of identity integration and self-control. In contrast, vulnerable narcissism did not have a direct significant effect on criminal behavior, but it was indirectly and positively associated with criminal behavior via identity integration and self-control. Moreover, grandiose narcissism was positively, whereas vulnerable narcissism was negatively associated with identity integration. However, identity integration did not have a direct significant effect on criminal behavior, but it was indirectly and negatively associated with criminal behavior via self-control. Finally, self-control was, in turn, negatively related to criminal behavior. Conclusions We propose that both subtypes of narcissism should be carefully considered in clinical assessment and current intervention practices.

Hostile Attribution Biases in Vulnerable Narcissists Depends on the Socio-Relational Context

Narcissism, especially the vulnerable kind, is associated with anger and hostility. In a sample of outpatients, group psychotherapy ( N = 74) and community members ( N = 153), we replicated and extended previous work linking vulnerable, but not grandiose, narcissism to hostile attributions across different socio-relational contexts. We also examined if the level of ambiguity of social situations, assessed from the other-referent position, influences the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and attributing hostile intentionality, and whether narcissistic individuals distinguish hostile interpretations, depending on the level of ambiguity of the scene. In ambiguous vignettes, assessed from the self-referent position, higher levels of vulnerable narcissism were associated with a greater tendency to infer more attributions of hostile intentions with people with whom there was no close relationship (except for authority in the patient group). In the case of visual scenes, the positive relationship between vulnerable narcissism and attributed hostile intentionality appeared in accidental scenes, but not in hostile and ambiguous ones. In addition, the higher the vulnerable narcissism the lower the ability to differentiate between contextual nuances (e.g., the level of ambiguity). We replicated previous research indicating a relationship between vulnerable narcissism and hostile attribution bias, but shed new light on the phenomenon of this bias in that it appears to depend on the socio-relational context and the level of ambiguity of the situation.

Narcissism Today: What We Know and What We Need to Learn

Narcissism is of great interest to behavioral scientists and the lay public. Research across the past 20 years has led to substantial progress in the conceptualization, measurement, and study of narcissism. This article reviews the current state of the field, identifying recent advances and outlining future directions. Advances include hierarchical conceptualizations of narcissism across one-factor (narcissism), two-factor (grandiose vs. vulnerable narcissism), and three-factor (agentic extraversion, antagonism, narcissistic neuroticism) levels; the development of measures to assess the components of narcissism; clarification of the relations between narcissism and self-esteem; an understanding of the behavioral and motivational dynamics underlying narcissistic actions and social outcomes; and insight regarding potential fluctuations between narcissistic states. Future directions point in general to increased research using the lower levels of the narcissism hierarchy, especially the three-factor level. At this level, more research on the etiology, heritability, stability, and centrality of the three components is required.

Vulnerable Narcissism in Social Networking Sites: The Role of Upward and Downward Social Comparisons

Social networking sites (SNSs) have provided a new platform for people to present their narcissism. The objective of the current study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms between active and passive SNS use and vulnerable narcissism among college students. In achieving this, the study based its method on the media effect and social comparative theory and recruited 529 participants to complete the Surveillance Use Scale, Iowa–Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure, and Hypersensitivity Narcissistic Scale. The results showed that active and passive SNS use were positively related to upward and downward social comparisons. Active and passive SNS use also indirectly predicted vulnerable narcissism through the parallel mediation of upward and downward social comparisons. This study also revealed the vital role of social comparison in the association between SNS use and vulnerable narcissism.