Pathological Narcissism and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

J Pers Disord. 2018 Feb;32(1):87-108. doi: 10.1521/pedi_2017_31_291. Epub 2017 May 17.

Abstract

Few studies have examined associations between pathological narcissism and self-harm, but those that do indicate that narcissistic vulnerability (not narcissistic grandiosity) relates to self-harm. The current study extends this literature by investigating how facets of pathological narcissism assessed by the Pathological Narcissism Inventory relate to specific nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors assessed by the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury using statistical models appropriate for non-normally distributed count data. In a sample of 1,023 undergraduate students, results revealed that facets of both narcissistic vulnerability and narcissistic grandiosity were differentially related to the endorsement and frequency of specific NSSI behaviors and higher-order latent NSSI factors (repetitive and impulsive), even after accounting for levels of borderline pathology. The clinical implications of these results are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Midwestern United States / epidemiology
  • Narcissism*
  • Personality Inventory
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / epidemiology
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult