Dark Traits and Suicide: Associations Between Psychopathy, Narcissism, and Components of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2017

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Studies have identified independent relationships between psychopathy, narcissism, and suicidality. The current study expands upon the extant literature by exploring psychopathic and narcissistic personality traits and components of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide, utilizing a 3-factor model of psychopathy and 2-factor model of pathological narcissism in community, undergraduate, and military individuals. We hypothesized that the impulsive-antisocial facets of psychopathy would be related to suicidal desire, whereas all facets of psychopathy would relate to the capability for suicide. We anticipated an association between pathological narcissism, thwarted belongingness, and capability for suicide, but not perceived burdensomeness. We further hypothesized a relationship between physical pain tolerance and persistence and the affective (i.e., callousness) facet of psychopathy. Results partially supported these hypotheses and underscore the need for further examination of these associations utilizing contemporary models of psychopathy and narcissism. General Scientific Summary Our findings provide support for the association between certain psychopathic and narcissistic traits and components of a prominent theoretical model of suicide and have implications for the clinical assessment of suicide risk in individuals with high levels of these traits.

Publication Title

Journal of Abnormal Psychology

Volume

126

Issue

7

First Page

928

Last Page

938

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