The role of identity instability in the relationship between narcissism and emotional empathy

Datos Bibliográficos

ID19422845
AutoresRossella Di Pierro (0000-0001-7930-1559, University of Milano-Bicocca), Marco Di Sarno (0000-0002-0840-7564, University of Milano-Bicocca), Emanuele Preti (0000-0001-5207-4579, University of Milano-Bicocca), Valentina Elisabetta Di Mattei (0000-0003-0546-3218, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University), Fabio Madeddu (0000-0003-3768-770X, University of Milano-Bicocca)
Año2018
Volumen35
Número2
Páginas237-243
Fecha de publicación2018-04-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPsychoanalytic Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0736-9735 • E-ISSN: 1939-1331
EditorialAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/pap0000159
OpenAlexW2766631569
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas10
Referencias citadas25

Empirical literature has shown that narcissism is often associated with limited empathy, but the mechanism underlying this association is still unclear. The present study investigated the role of identity instability as a mediator of the relationship between narcissistic traits and empathic capabilities. Narcissistic traits, identity instability, and cognitive and emotional empathic capabilities were assessed among 462 nonclinical participants through self-report measures. Results showed a positive association between narcissistic traits and cognitive empathy. On the other hand, a negative association between narcissistic traits and emotional empathy emerged. Furthermore, the study showed that the association between narcissistic traits and impairments in emotional empathy was partially explained by identity instability. Results thus demonstrated that narcissistic traits were associated with higher identity instability, and this, in turn, was associated with decreased abilities to be emotionally involved in others' affect states. These findings are discussed in the context of an object relations formulation of narcissistic personality

Developmental psychology · Empathy · Narcissism · Psychoanalysis · Psychotherapist · Emotional Intelligence and Performance · Empathy and Medical Education · Personality Traits and Psychology · Psychology · Social Psychology