title: The relation of narcissism and self-esteem to conduct problems in children: a preliminary investigation.
abstract: Investigated several possible models to explain the seemingly discrepant relations between self-esteem and conduct problems, as both low self-esteem and exaggerated levels of self-esteem, thought to be captured by narcissism, have been associated with aggressive and antisocial behavior. Our sample consisted of 98 nonreferred children (mean age = 11.9 years; SD = 1.68 years) recruited from public schools to oversample children at risk for severe aggressive and antisocial behavior. Results indicated that certain aspects of narcissism (i.e., those indicating a need to be evaluated well by, and obtain status over, others) were particularly predictive of maladaptive characteristics and outcomes such as low self-esteem, callous-unemotional (CU) traits, and conduct problems. In addition, the relation between narcissism and conduct problems was moderated by self-esteem level, such that children with relatively high levels of narcissism and low self-esteem showed the highest rates of conduct-problem symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Frick
authors.forename: Amber L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Killian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder; D002648:Child; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept