Reducing the chances of developing narcissistic rivalry: The buffering effects of self-esteem

Grandiose narcissism may be composed of narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry; theoretically, narcissistic admiration may develop into narcissistic rivalry if the person feels inadequate. To test this idea, participants (N = 1147) completed measures of narcissistic admiration, narcissistic rivalry, self-esteem, and indicated rivalrous responses to hypothetical provocations. As expected, positive relationships between narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry or situated rivalrous responding were each larger at lower (vs. higher) selfesteem; moreover, interactive effects of narcissistic admiration and self-esteem on situated rivalrous responding were mediated by narcissistic rivalry. The data suggest self-esteem may protect narcissistic people from developing narcissistic rivalry and thus reduce their situated rivalrous responding.

Automated summary

There is a positive relationship between narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry, which is more prominent among individuals with lower self-esteem. Self-esteem may protect narcissistic individuals from developing narcissistic rivalry.