Narcissism: its function in modulating self-conscious emotions

Bull Menninger Clin. 2012 Summer;76(3):211-34. doi: 10.1521/bumc.2012.76.3.211.

Abstract

This study focused on the functional aspects of narcissism in regulating self-conscious emotions (guilt, shame, hubristic pride, and achievement-oriented pride) as well as two other attribution styles (externalization and detachment). The authors investigated Japanese university students (N = 452) with regard to their self-conscious emotions using the Test of Self-Conscious Affect-3 (TOSCA-3) and their narcissistic personality using the short version of Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-S). Structural equation modeling was used for the analysis. The authors found that narcissism led individuals to feel achievement-oriented pride, hubristic pride, externalization, and detachment, but inhibited feelings of shame. It did not have a significant effect on guilt. Shame-proneness prompted hubristic pride and externalization. Guilt-proneness inclined an individual toward achievement-oriented pride, but deterred externalization. In this article, the authors present and interpret these results in detail and then discuss how they can be utilized in psychotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Achievement
  • Adolescent
  • Defense Mechanisms*
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Guilt
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Narcissism*
  • Object Attachment
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychoanalytic Theory*
  • Psychoanalytic Therapy*
  • Psychometrics
  • Self Concept*
  • Shame
  • Students / psychology
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Young Adult