Narcissism and self-esteem: A nomological network analysis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Courtland S. Hyatt, University of Georgia; Chelsea E. Sleep, University of Georgia; Joanna Lamkin, Baylor College of Medicine; Jessica L. Maples-Keller, Emory University; Jessica Keller, Emory University; Constantine Sedikides, University of Southampton; W. Keith Campbell, University of Georgia; Joshua D. Miller, University of Georgia
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-08-01
• Publisher: Public Library Science
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.
• License: Creative Commons Universal : Public Domain Dedication
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201088
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Plos One
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 8
• Start Page: e0201088
• End Page: e0201088
• Grant/Funding Information: The authors received no specific funding for this work.
• Keywords: 5-FACTOR MODEL; GRANDIOSE; AGGRESSION; VULNERABLE NARCISSISM; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Multidisciplinary Sciences; PERSONALITY-INVENTORY; Science & Technology; DISORDERS; ANTISOCIAL-BEHAVIOR; DARK TRIAD; PSYCHOPATHY; PSYCHOLOGICAL ENTITLEMENT
• Research Categories: Psychology, General

Abstract

Similarity between narcissism and self-esteem seems intuitive, as both capture positive perceptions of the self. In the current undertaking, we provide a broad comparison of the nomological networks of grandiose narcissism and explicit self-esteem. Pooling data from 11 existing samples (N = 4711), we compared the relations of narcissism and self-esteem to developmental experiences, individual differences, interpersonal functioning, and psychopathology. Both constructs are positively related to agentic traits and assertive interpersonal approaches, but differ in relation to agreeableness/communion. Self-esteem emerged as a wholly adaptive construct negatively associated with internalizing psychopathology and generally unrelated to externalizing behaviors. Unlike self-esteem, narcissism was related to callousness, grandiosity, entitlement, and demeaning attitudes towards others that likely partially explain narcissism’s links to maladaptive outcomes.