The relations among narcissism, self-esteem, and delinquency in a sample of at-risk adolescents.
The present study explores the relation between narcissism and delinquency among 372 at-risk 16-18-year-olds. The study also considered the relation between narcissism and self-esteem, as well as the potential interaction between narcissism and self-esteem for predicting delinquency in this age group. Narcissism and self-esteem were positively interrelated; however, only narcissism was significantly correlated with delinquency. The results suggested that low self-esteem was actually associated with delinquency when controlling for narcissism. So-called adaptive narcissism was positively correlated with self-esteem, but maladaptive narcissism was not related to self-esteem. Limitations and directions for future research in this area are discussed.
Barry
Christopher T
CT
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr., Box 5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. Christopher.Barry@usm.edu
Grafeman
Sarah J
SJ
Adler
Kristy K
KK
Pickard
Jessica D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D010379:Peer Group; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept