Investigating Narcissistic Personality Traits in the Context of Positive Psychotherapy

The purpose of the current study is to elucidate the relationships between narcissistic personality traits and primary and secondary capacities of individuals within the context of positive psychotherapy.

In the study conducted in 2016-17 academic year, the participants were 255 university students (51.4% female, n=124 and 48.6% male, n=124) aged 18 to 25. As data collection tools, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, Wiesbaden's Inventory of Positive Psychotherapy and Family Therapy and Demographic Information Form created by the researchers were used. The Multiple Regression Analysis method was employed to achieve the objectives of the study.

The findings revealed that two of the primary capacities, namely time and patience, were significant predictors of narcissism. In other words, the time capacity was a positive significant predictor of narcissistic personality traits, while those traits were predicted by the patience capacity in a negative way. Regarding the secondary capacities, politeness, faithfulness, cleanliness and honesty were significant predictors of narcissistic personality traits. In brief, the faithfulness, cleanliness and honesty capacities were positive significant predictors whereas the politeness capacity was a negative significant predictor of narcissistic personality traits.

In brief, the primary and secondary capacities, which are defined as personality traits in positive psychotherapy, were significant predictors of narcissistic personality traits. Results and implications are discussed in the light of relevant literature, and suggestions are offered for future research.