NCJ Number
221222
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 30 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2007 Pages: 933-942
Date Published
December 2007
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The study explored the relationship between narcissism and delinquency for predicting delinquency among at-risk teens.
Abstract
The study demonstrated a moderately positive relation among at-risk older adolescents, with this relation being similar to, or slightly lower than, the magnitude of relations found in adults. Narcissism and self-esteem were positively interrelated; however, only narcissism was significantly correlated with delinquency. Narcissism, not self-esteem was associated with delinquency and aggression. Maladaptive narcissism appears to be a particularly better predictor of such behaviors than self-esteem. Self-esteem and gender did not moderate the narcissism-behavior relations. The results point more toward low self-esteem being related to problem behaviors in youths, rather than high self-esteem as has been suggested for adults. The results provide evidence that narcissism can be assessed in adolescents in a similar approached used with adults. Furthermore, narcissism, not self-esteem, was associated with delinquency and aggression. Maladaptive narcissism appears to be a particularly better predictor of such behaviors than self-esteem. Self-esteem and gender did not moderate the narcissism/behavior relations. The sample consisted of 349 adolescents (297 males, 52 females), ages 16 to 18, which were enrolled in a 22-week military style intervention program for youth who had dropped out to school; an oral questionnaire was administered in 4 sessions of 45-minutes each. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed. Tables, references