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Narcissism, self-esteem, and parental nurturance
P J Watson1, S E Hickman, R J Morris
1Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 37403.
The Journal of Psychology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Narcissism exists on a mental health continuum, linked to self-esteem and parental nurturing. Healthier self-esteem may mediate adaptive narcissism, supporting integrated conceptualizations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Personality Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Narcissism is often viewed negatively, but recent research suggests a more nuanced perspective.
- Understanding the relationship between narcissism, self-esteem, and early life experiences is crucial for mental health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the inter-relationships between self-reported narcissism, self-esteem, and perceptions of parental nurturance.
- To test the hypothesis that narcissism dimensions exist on a continuum of mental health.
- To investigate the role of self-esteem in mediating adaptive aspects of narcissism.
Main Methods:
- Survey research involving 459 undergraduate students.
- Utilized the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) to measure narcissism.
- Employed zero-order and partial correlations to analyze relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Narcissism dimensions showed significant inter-relationships with self-esteem and perceived parental nurturance.
- Findings supported the hypothesis that narcissism indices align with a mental health continuum.
- Partial correlations controlling for self-esteem indicated that healthier self-functioning mediates adaptive narcissism.
Conclusions:
- Narcissism should be conceptualized within a broader framework that includes healthy self-esteem.
- These findings contribute to a more integrated understanding of narcissism and its relation to psychological well-being.
- The study highlights the importance of considering both adaptive and maladaptive facets of narcissism.