title: Psychophysiological correlates of narcissistic traits in women during active coping.
abstract: Two dimensions of narcissism were related to psychophysiological responses to stress in 50 young women. Cardiovascular, electrodermal, task performance, and stress appraisal measures were recorded during rest, mental arithmetic, and a computerized Thematic Apperception Test (Murray, 1943). The Egocentricity and Alienation scales of the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (Bell, 1995) served as measures of overt/inflated and covert/deflated narcissism. Egocentricity correlated consistently with heightened preejection period reactivity, whereas Alienation correlated consistently with diminished electrodermal reactivity (all p < .05). Multivariate analyses supported specific relationships between Egocentricity and preejection period hyperreactivity, and between Alienation and electrodermal hyporeactivity. These results have implications for narcissism, cardiovascular disease risk, and a variety of psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis 38105, USA. rkelsey@utmem.edu
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kelsey
authors.forename: Sidney R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ornduff
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reiff
authors.forename: Carlotta M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Arthur
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009289:Narcissism; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011603:Psychophysiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology