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

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psycholegal Studies Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA

    Jason J. Washburn (Research Scholar)

  2. Department of Psychology, DePaul University, USA

    Susan D. McMahon (Associate Professor)

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, USA

    Cheryl A. King (Associate Professor)

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA

    Mark A. Reinecke (Associate Professor)

  5. Suffolk University, USA

    Carrie Silver (Clinical Psychology Graduate Student)

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  1. Jason J. Washburn
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  2. Susan D. McMahon
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Correspondence to Jason J. Washburn.

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Washburn, J.J., McMahon, S.D., King, C.A. et al. Narcissistic Features in Young Adolescents: Relations to Aggression and Internalizing Symptoms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 33, 247–260 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOYO.0000025323.94929.d9

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