This meta-analytic review investigated the development of narcissism across the life span, by synthesizing the available longitudinal data on mean-level change and rank-order stability. Three factors of narcissism were examined: agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism. Analyses were based on data from 51 samples, including 37,247 participants. As effect size measures, we used the standardized mean change d per year and test-retest correlations that were corrected for attenuation due to measurement error. The results suggested that narcissism typically decreases from age 8 to 77 years (i.e., the observed age range), with aggregated changes of d = -0.28 for agentic narcissism, d = -0.41 for antagonistic narcissism, and d = -0.55 for neurotic narcissism. Rank-order stability of narcissism was high, with average values of .73 (agentic), .68 (antagonistic), and .60 (neurotic), based on an average time lag of 11.42 years. Rank-order stability did not vary as a function of age. However, rank-order stability declined as a function of time lag, asymptotically approaching values of .62 (agentic), .52 (antagonistic), and .33 (neurotic) across long time lags. Moderator analyses indicated that the findings on mean-level change and rank-order stability held across gender and birth cohort. The meta-analytic data set included mostly Western and White/European samples, pointing to the need of conducting more research with non-Western and ethnically diverse samples. In sum, the findings suggest that agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism show normative declines across the life span and that individual differences in these factors are moderately (neurotic) to highly (agentic, antagonistic) stable over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Humans must identify others as enemies or allies to develop, protect, maintain, and refine their sense of self. This is a part of their normal psychological development. These phenomena operate on individual and large group levels and are pronounced under threat. In peril, they help create psychological boundaries between conflicting parties and bonds between allies. These boundaries and bonds are invested with strong emotions. The narcissism of minor differences concept is involved in identifying and delineating enemies at times of perceived danger. This article introduces the concept of the narcissism of minor resemblances. This concept is discussed from the psychodynamic perspective and illustrated with examples of socio-political developments from modern history. The narcissism of minor resemblances concept may help us understand the underlying dynamics of bonding with allies and identifying with others when undergoing threat and hardship. This concept connects the public arena of political action with individual psychological development. Awareness of this phenomenon can help mitigate the negative aspects of rigid enemy-ally distinctions and promote cooperation and peace. It may also help individuals impacted by psychological trauma to make meaning of psychological and societal processes experienced and contribute to their healing.

The current paper aimed to investigate the network structure and centrality indexes of hypersensitive narcissism using the hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSN). Additionally, we aimed to explore its relationships with dark triad personality aspects. A globally diverse sample of \"53,981\" participants (47.9% non-United States responders) completed the HSN and Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale (DTD). We estimated the network structure across genders to determine the core characteristics of hypersensitive narcissism. Additionally, bridge and central nodes (characteristics) were identified. All analyses were performed using R-Studio programming software. The network comparison test indicated significant differences in the network structures between males and females (Network-Invariance: 0.0489, P < 0.01; Global Strength Invariance: 0.101, P < 0.01). In the network of HSN for male participants, characteristics with the highest strength centrality were \"Highly affected by criticism\" (HSN.2, strength = 1.08) and \"Self-absorbed in personal pursuits\" (HSN.8, strength = 1.28). For female participants, \"Self-absorbed in personal pursuits\" (HSN.8, strength = 1.32) and \"privately annoyed by others\' needs\" (HSN.10, strength = 1.21) were the highest central characteristics. The assessment of bridge strength indicated that nodes HSN.2 (Highly sensitive to criticism), scoring 0.42, and DTD.1 (Tendency to manipulate for gain, a component of Machiavellianism), scoring 0.428, showed the highest bridge strength values. The current study identified core characteristics of hypersensitive narcissism and its correlation with dark triad personality, revealing gender-specific patterns and bridging symptoms between the two constructs. These findings showed that focusing on these core characteristics may be advantageous in treating individuals exhibiting elevated levels of narcissism.

UNASSIGNED: The study was set out to establish the potential for psychotherapy to effect improvements in patients with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). Eight patients with NPD who improved in treatment were identified. Consensus clinician/investigator diagnostic scores from before and after the psychotherapies were retroactively established on the Diagnostic Interview for Narcissism (DIN) and the Diagnostic Statistic Manual for Psychiatric Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) Personality Disorder Section II criteria. Psychosocial functioning (work or school, romantic relationships) before and after the psychotherapies was retroactively evaluated as well. At the completion of the therapies after 2.5 to 5 years, all patients had improved, no longer met DIN or DSM-5 criteria for NPD, and showed better psychosocial functioning. Symptomatic improvements were associated with large effect sizes. In conclusion, changes in NPD can occur in treatment after 2.5 to 5 years. Future research should identify patient characteristics, interventions, and common processes in such improved cases that could help with development of treatments.

(1) Background: The dark triad refers to a personality configuration mainly characterized by the presence of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Even though adolescence is a critical stage in the development of dark triad traits, to date, this construct has not been studied among adolescents, mainly due to the lack of a measurement instrument adapted to this population. (2) Methods: Using a sample of 1642 adolescents, an adaptation of the Short Dark Triad (SD3) is proposed for this population. To this end, we performed a confirmatory factor analysis of the scale and examined its reliability and the intensity of the dark triad components by sex and sexual orientation. (3) Results: The adapted version of the scale (The Short Dark Triad-Adolescent Version; SD3-A) yielded good psychometric results. Confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the theoretical model of the three factors of dark personality. The results confirmed the greater presence of dark traits in male adolescents, and differences were observed based on sexual orientation. (4) Conclusions: The Short Dark Triad-Adolescent Version (SD3-A) is an effective and comprehensive instrument for the estimation of dark traits in adolescents and can be used as a screening test for this population.

OBJECTIVE: Subordinates in Western cultures generally prefer supervisors with a democratic rather than autocratic leadership style. It is unclear, however, whether more narcissistic subordinates share or challenge this prodemocratic default attitude. On the one hand, more narcissistic individuals strive for power and thus may favor a democratic supervisor, who grants them power through participation. On the other hand, similarity attracts and, thus, more narcissistic subordinates may favor an autocratic supervisor, who exhibits the same leadership style that they would adopt in a leadership position.
METHODS: Four studies (Ntotal = 1284) tested these competing hypotheses with two narcissism dimensions: admiration and rivalry. Participants indicated the leadership style they generally prefer in a supervisor (Study 1), rated their own supervisor\'s leadership style (Study 2a: individual ratings; Study 2b: team ratings), and evaluated profiles of democratic and autocratic supervisors (Study 3).
RESULTS: We found a significantly weaker prodemocratic default attitude among more narcissistic subordinates: Subordinates\' narcissism was negatively related to endorsement of democratic supervisors and positively related to endorsement of autocratic supervisors. Those relations were mostly driven by narcissistic rivalry rather than narcissistic admiration.
CONCLUSIONS: The results help clarify the narcissistic personality and, in particular, how more narcissistic subordinates prefer to be led.

It is well established that people scoring high in narcissism fantasize about a grandiose future. However, little research has examined whether narcissism is actually associated with setting unrealistic, grandiose future goals for oneself. In the present study, we pool three independent adult samples (total N = 482) to evaluate the relationship between three dimensions of narcissism (agentic extraversion, antagonism, and narcissistic neuroticism) and self-reported likelihood of setting statistically unlikely goals (e.g., creating world peace). Through a series of bootstrapped correlation and regression analyses, we find that participants scoring higher in agentic extraversion and antagonism are more likely to set unrealistic goals, whereas participants scoring higher in narcissistic neuroticism are less likely to set unrealistic goals. When controlling for covariance between these narcissism dimensions as well as self-esteem and history of manic/hypomanic symptoms, agentic extraversion emerges as the strongest correlate of setting unrealistic goals. Overall, this study demonstrates that narcissism, and particularly agentic extraversion, is associated with intending to set grandiose future goals.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined therapists\' dispositional empathy profiles and how they differ based on professional and personal characteristics.
METHODS: A total of 376 clinicians was recruited for this study. Dispositional empathy was assessed with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Profiles were generated using latent profile analysis. Predictors of profiles were assessed with multiple self-report questionnaires measuring demographic and professional characteristics, romantic attachment styles, five-factor personality traits and vulnerable narcissism.
RESULTS: A four-profile solution was retained with the following proportions: rational empathic (20%), disengaged/detached (10%), empathic immersion (35%) and insecure/self-absorbed (35%). Overall, few relationships were found regarding demographic and professional characteristics. In contrast, significant relationships were found between profile membership and personal characteristics, including avoidant and anxious attachment, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, intellect/imagination and vulnerable narcissism.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that differences in therapists\' empathic dispositions are linked to personality dimensions. Implications for psychotherapy research, practice and training are discussed.

Background: College students continue to report problematic alcohol use. To mitigate adverse outcomes, recent studies have employed harm reduction strategies known as Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS). Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT), an impression management intervention, has been used to promote the use of PBS. DRT relies on impression management to modify behavior. This may be especially important for individuals with higher levels of trait narcissism. Method: College student drinkers (n = 132) were randomly assigned to receive a positive message about PBS users, a negative message about non-PBS users, or control. Participants reported on current PBS use norms, daily alcohol use, PBS use, and any alcohol-related problems experienced during the previous week for the next 10 weeks. Results: Data were analyzed using multilevel regression to examine PBS use across time by condition. When PBS norms were low, narcissism was strongly associated with lower rates of PBS use in the control group. If individuals received a positive or negative message, the association between narcissism and PBS use was diminished, among individuals with low PBS norms. There were no significant differences at mean or high levels of norms, indicating the messaging was only important for the highest risk group (i.e., those with low PBS norms). Discussion: The results of this study suggest that message framing may be effective at reducing the robust negative association between narcissism and PBS use for individuals with low PBS norms. Positive messages about individuals that use PBS may be one approach to mitigating problematic alcohol consumption in this at-risk group.

This study aims to investigate the mediation effect of narcissism and the mediation effect moderated by gender in the effect of social anxiety on university students\' SNS addiction. In this cross-sectional survey, university students, aged 19 to 29 were selected from two provinces in South Korea. The sample size was calculated using G*power 3.1., and a sample of 170 university students was used in the final analysis. To perform the analysis, descriptive statistics; independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson\'s correlation were used. The data collected was statistically analyzed using SPSS Program 23.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro (version 4.0). The moderated mediation effect was significant in both male and female groups. The mediation effect of narcissism on the relationship between social anxiety and SNS addiction proneness was stronger in the female group than in the male group. The findings have the potential to provide substantial basic data for developing health promotion and education programs to reduce university students\' social anxiety, narcissism, and SNS addiction.