The relationship between Grandiose and Vulnerable (Hypersensitive) Narcissism

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Emanuel Jauk - , University of Graz (Author)
  • Elena Weigle - , University of Graz (Author)
  • Konrad Lehmann - , University of Graz (Author)
  • Mathias Benedek - , University of Graz (Author)
  • Aljoscha C. Neubauer - , University of Graz (Author)

Abstract

Narcissistic grandiosity is characterized by overt expressions of feelings of superiority and entitlement, while narcissistic vulnerability reflects hypersensitivity and introversive self-absorbedness. Clinical evidence suggests that grandiosity is accompanied by vulnerable aspects, pointing to a common foundation. Subclinical personality research, however, views grandiose and vulnerable narcissism as independent traits. Grandiose narcissism displays substantial correlation with extraversion, while vulnerable narcissism correlates highly with introversion. We investigated if (1) controlling for intro-/extraversion might reveal a "common core" of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, and if (2) the correlation between both aspects might be higher at higher levels of narcissism. Latent variable structural equation modeling and segmented regression analysis confirmed these hypotheses in a large non-clinical sample (N = 1,006). Interindividual differences in intro-/extraversion mask the common core of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. The association between both aspects increases at high levels (upper 10%) of grandiose narcissism, which suggests a possible transition to clinically relevant (pathological) narcissism.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number1600
Number of pages10
JournalFrontiers in psychology
Volume8
Publication statusPublished - 13 Sept 2017
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-9375-2222/work/142255883

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Extraversion, Grandiose narcissism, Hypersensitive narcissism, Introversion, Vulnerable narcissism

Library keywords