Prediction of narcissism based on narcissistic needs, maladaptive schemas and defense mechanisms in female and male students of Tehran universities.

This research was conducted with the aim of predicting narcissism based on self-object needs, maladaptive schemas and defense mechanisms in military children. In terms of the purpose, the current research was among applied-survey research, the statistical population includes all the children of military personnel in Tehran universities, 350 of whom were purposefully selected. In order to measure research variables, Yang's early maladaptive schema questionnaires, Adams' narcissistic personality (NPI-16), Arbel's Self-Object Questionnaire (2014) and Enders' defensive styles (DSQ-40) were used. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS-25 statistical software. The research results showed that self-object needs have a significant role on narcissism with a rate of 24.2%. The variable of primary maladaptive schemas on narcissism in male and female students with multiple regression test with the effect size in cut/rejection schema on narcissism, 34.5% and the domain of impaired self-management 41%, the domain of impaired limitations 32.8%, the domain of other orientation 39.3% and the domain of eavesdropping/inhibition have a role of 38.7% on narcissism. The role of defense mechanisms on the narcissism of military children with the effect size of these variables was 0.115 for the underdeveloped defensive style variable, 0.217 for the developed defensive style variable, and 0.327 for the neurotic defensive style variable. According to the research results of narcissism, a compensation strategy for primary maladaptive schemas, primary maladaptive schemas can be considered as one of the effective mechanisms in the transformation of the narcissistic personality trait.