Conceptions of narcissism and the DSM-5 pathological personality traits

Assessment. 2013 Jun;20(3):339-52. doi: 10.1177/1073191113486692. Epub 2013 Apr 21.

Abstract

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-5) features two conceptions of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), one based on the retained DSM-IV's categorical diagnosis and the other based on a model that blends impairments in personality functioning with a specific trait profile intended to recapture DSM-IV NPD. Nevertheless, the broader literature contains a richer array of potential conceptualizations of narcissism, including distinguishable perspectives from psychiatric nosology, clinical observation and theory, and social/personality psychology. This raises questions about the most advantageous pattern of traits to use to reflect various conceptions of narcissistic pathology via the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5). In this study, we examine the associations of the Personality Disorder Questionnaire-Narcissistic Personality Disorder scale, Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16, and the Pathological Narcissism Inventory and the PID-5 dimensions and facets in a large sample (N = 1,653) of undergraduate student participants. Results point to strong associations with PID-5 Antagonism scales across narcissism measures, consistent with the DSM-5's proposed representation of NPD. However, additional notable associations emerged with PID-5 Negative Affectivity and Psychoticism scales when considering more clinically relevant narcissism measures.

Keywords: Narcissistic Personality Inventory; Pathological Narcissism Inventory; Personality Inventory for the DSM-5; narcissism; narcissistic grandiosity; narcissistic personality disorder; narcissistic vulnerability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Narcissism*
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Personality Disorders / psychology
  • Personality Inventory*
  • Psychometrics
  • Regression Analysis
  • United States
  • Young Adult