Date of Award
Spring 5-2017
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Joye Anestis
Advisor Department
Psychology
Abstract
The present study investigated the established relationship between narcissistic personality traits and aggression (e.g., Barnet & Powell, 2016; Baumeister et al., 2000; Bushman & Baumeister, 1998). Specifically, the study aimed to understand this relationship in a more nuanced fashion and proposed that 1) the relationship is indirect through self-esteem (mediation) and 2) the relationship is stronger in males than in females (moderation). Participants were 269 undergraduate students from the University of Southern Mississippi. A battery of self-report measures [Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI; Raskin & Terry, 1988), Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI; Pincus et al., 2009), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965), and Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ; Raine, Dodge, Loeber, Gatzke-Kopp, Lynam, Reynolds, Stouthamer-Loeber, & Liu, 2006)] was administered online to participants. Results suggest that low self-esteem mediated the relationship between narcissism and aggression, but only as measured by the NPI. The gender moderation hypothesis was not supported. These findings suggest a pathway for predicting aggression in individuals high in narcissistic personality traits through self-esteem.
Copyright
Copyright for this thesis is owned by the author. It may be freely accessed by all users. However, any reuse or reproduction not covered by the exceptions of the Fair Use or Educational Use clauses of U.S. Copyright Law or without permission of the copyright holder may be a violation of federal law. Contact the administrator if you have additional questions.
Recommended Citation
Junearick, Regis S., "Understanding Narcissistic Personality Traits and Aggression: The Roles of Self-Esteem and Gender" (2017). Honors Theses. 510.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/510