A Structural Model to Explain Grandiose Narcissism and Vulnerable Narcissism in Men and Women Based on Objectified Body Consciousness and Psychological Capitals with Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

The aim of this study was to present a structural model to explain grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism in men and women based on objectified body consciousness and psychological capitals with mediating role of self-esteem.

The present study was a correctional-discriptive based on a structural equation model. The statistical population of this study included all men and women over 18 years of age in Ahvaz and 309 of them were randomly selected and tested by available sampling method through social networks. Instruments which were used to collect data were demographic questionnaire, Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI), Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBC), Luthans Psychological Capital Scale (LPCS) and Rosenburg Self-esteem Inventory (RSES). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 24 and Amos 24.

Ethical Considerations:

In the present study, ethical principles such as confidentiality of information were observed and there was no possible harm to the subjects.

Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between Objectified Body consciousness with Grandiose Narcissism and Volnerable Narcissism in women. The results of these variables in men were not significant. Objectified body consciousness and psychological capitals with self-esteem was significant for both men and women. Furthermore, Psychological capitals with grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism was significant in men; in women, Psychological capitals only were significant with vulnerable narcissism (p<0. 01). Among indirect path, Self-esteem could significantly play a mediating role for Objectified body consciousness and psychologicalcapitals with grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism in men. In women, the only significant indirectpath was between self-esteem with vulnerable narcissism.

Gender significantly moderated the causal effect of self-esteem on vulnerable narcissism, so that self-esteem in men has a stronger causal effect on vulnerable narcissism. These results can be used by clinical psychotherapists and psychiatrists in therapy with clients who suffer from narcissist personality disorder and related disorders to body image. As regards self-objectification can be led to narcissism and lower levels of self-esteemin individuals, therefore it is recommended that Psychologists and health experts care more about variables which were mentioned.