Are malignant self-regard and vulnerable narcissism different constructs?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Personality Psychology

Background:

• Vulnerable narcissism and malignant self-regard (MSR) are theoretically similar constructs.
• Previous research suggests a strong interrelation between these two personality constructs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis that vulnerable narcissism and MSR are essentially the same construct.
• To examine the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and MSR with anger, personality traits, and self-esteem.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted with undergraduate students (N=1168 and N=158).
• Methods included self-report measures assessing narcissism, MSR, anger, anxiety, and the Five Factor Model of personality.
• One study examined responses to positive or negative feedback.

Main Results:

• Both MSR and vulnerable narcissism correlated with internal anger experiences, trait anger, high neuroticism, openness, and low extraversion and self-esteem.
• MSR and vulnerable narcissism uniquely predicted trait anger and anxiety, and state anger post-negative feedback.
• These findings were distinct from those associated with grandiose narcissism.

Conclusions:

• Malignant self-regard and vulnerable narcissism are likely identical constructs.
• Both constructs share significant associations with anger, neuroticism, and lower self-esteem.
• The findings support the conceptual overlap and potential identity of MSR and vulnerable narcissism.