title: Childhood physical abuse and aggression: Shame and narcissistic vulnerability.
abstract: This study examined narcissistic vulnerability and shame-proneness as potential mediators between childhood physical abuse (CPA) and adult anger and aggression. Participants were 400 undergraduate students, 134 of whom had a history of CPA. All participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing history of CPA, shame-proneness, narcissistic vulnerability, physical aggression, trait anger, and hostility. Results indicated abused participants were more angry and aggressive and experienced higher levels of shame-proneness and narcissistic vulnerability than nonabused participants. Multiple mediation analyses showed that narcissistic vulnerability, but not shame-proneness, partially mediated the relation between abuse and physical aggression. However, narcissistic vulnerability and shame-proneness both emerged as partial mediators between abuse and the anger and hostility variables. These findings suggest that narcissistic vulnerability and shame-proneness may function as mediators of adjustment following childhood maltreatment. Study limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, PCD4118G, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Keene
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Epps
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000786:Anger; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009289:Narcissism; D010555:Personality Inventory; D000066550:Physical Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012752:Shame; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adult aggression; Childhood physical abuse; Narcissism; Shame