Mental toughness, rather than self-esteem, moderates effects of grandiose narcissism on aggression under conditions of ego-threat. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kinrade, Charlotte; Hart, William; Lambert, Joshua T.
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 189(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: grandiose narcissism -- self-esteem -- mental toughness -- personality -- aggression; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111518
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Prior research has shown that, following ego-threatening provocation, effects of grandiose narcissism on aggression and hostile goals are weakened as self-esteem increases. This study investigated if a close correlate of self-esteem, mental toughness, is actually responsible for weakening effects of grandiose narcissism on aggression and hostile goals following ego-threatening provocation. After completing personality measures, participants ( N = 444) read vignettes depicting lower or higher ego-threatening provocation. As hypothesized, grandiose narcissism related more weakly to anticipated aggression and hostile goals at higher (vs. lower) mental toughness, regardless of provocation level. Further analyses revealed that the mental toughness facet of confidence, specifically, moderated these relationships between grandiose narcissism and the two outcomes. When considering self-esteem and confidence jointly, confidence continued to moderate effects of grandiose narcissism on the two outcomes, whereas self-esteem did not. These findings support the role of confidence, specifically, as a buffer for aggressive and hostile responses following ego-threatening provocation in individuals with elevated grandiose narcissism. Highlights: Narcissism related more weakly to aggression at higher mental toughness. Narcissism related more weakly to hostile goals at higher mental toughness. This occurred across ego-threatening provocation levels.