Dimensions of Adolescent Narcissism

Abstract

Abstract. Research with adolescents has noted that narcissism dimensions (e.g., non-pathological, grandiose, vulnerable) are often interrelated but have differential associations with indicators of adjustment. The aim of the present study was to investigate both variable-centered and person-centered analyses of commonly used narcissism scales in adolescents. Participants were 282 at-risk male adolescents ages 16–19 attending a voluntary residential program. Variable-centered analyses revealed correlations for the narcissism dimensions that were consistent with prior research. Person-centered analyses resulted in three subgroups (i.e., high pathological narcissism; moderate pathological narcissism; low narcissism). Individuals in the high pathological narcissism subgroup reported lower self-esteem, higher anxiety, and higher aggression than the other groups. However, the utility of a person-centered approach in adolescents is questionable in that the subgroups simply differed incrementally based on pathological grandiose and vulnerable narcissism.