Perceived agency mediates the link between the narcissistic subtypes and self-esteem

• Published in: Personality and individual differences 2016-02, Vol.90, p.124-129
• Main Authors: Brown, Ashley A., Freis, Stephanie D., Carroll, Patrick J., Arkin, Robert M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agency; Grandiose narcissism; Mediation; Self-esteem; Vulnerable narcissism
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2015.10.055

Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism share some core features (e.g., entitlement, self-absorption) but differ in other important ways (e.g., self-esteem). To reconcile these differing characteristics, we predicted that differences in perceived agency mediate the association between narcissistic subtypes and differences in self-esteem. One hundred college students completed self-report measures of grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, explicit global self-esteem, and perceived agency. As predicted, grandiose narcissism was positively associated with agency and self-esteem, whereas vulnerable narcissism was negatively associated with agency and self-esteem. Perceived agency also mediated the associations between each narcissistic subtype and self-esteem. Furthermore, a partial correlation showed that when controlling for agency, the previously null correlation between measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism became significantly positive. These findings indicate that agency serves as a primary differentiator between the narcissistic subtypes. •Grandiose and vulnerable narcissists are highly entitled but differ in self-esteem.•Grandiose narcissism is associated with high perceived agency.•Vulnerable narcissism is associated with low perceived agency.•Perceived agency mediates the links between narcissistic subtypes and self-esteem.•Thus, agency may serve as a primary differentiator of the narcissistic subtypes.