Are pathological narcissism and psychopathy different constructs or different names for the same thing? A study based on italian nonclinical adult participants

Andrea Fossati, Andrea Fossati, Aaron L. Pincus, Serena Borroni, Arina Ferrari Munteanu, Cesare Maffei

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

To understand the similarities and differences In personality traits and moral disengagement associated with pathological narcissism and psychopathy, 740 Italian active community members who voluntarily participated in the study were administered the Italian versions of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory, the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, the HEXACO Personality Inventory, and the Moral Disengagement Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that low Hon-esty-Huinility and Antagonism (i.e., low Agreeableness) were personality traits common to both pathological narcissism and psychopathy, whereas low Conscientiousness was only related to psychopathy. Different associations with the HEXACO-PI scales and facets were observed for narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability, as well as for primary psychopathy and secondary psychopathy. Moral disengagement represented a common feature of pathological narcissism and psychopathy that was related to narcissistic vulnerability and to primary and secondary psychopathy, but not to narcissistic grandiosity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)394-418
Number of pages25
JournalJournal of personality disorders
Volume28
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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