The Relations Among Narcissism, Self-Esteem, and Delinquency In a Sample of At-Risk Adolescents

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2007

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The present study explores the relation between narcissism and delinquency among 372 at-risk 16-18-year-olds. The study also considered the relation between narcissism and self-esteem, as well as the potential interaction between narcissism and self-esteem for predicting delinquency in this age group. Narcissism and self-esteem were positively interrelated; however, only narcissism was significantly correlated with delinquency. The results suggested that low self-esteem was actually associated with delinquency when controlling for narcissism. So-called adaptive narcissism was positively correlated with self-esteem, but maladaptive narcissism was not related to self-esteem. Limitations and directions for future research in this area are discussed. (c) 2007 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Journal of Adolescence

Volume

30

Issue

6

First Page

933

Last Page

942

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