The Influence of Vulnerable Narcissism on Social Anxiety among Adolescents:The Mediating Role of Self-Concept Clarity and Self-Esteem

Social anxiety (SA) is a prevalent mental health issue among adolescents, and vulnerable narcissism (VN) can exacerbate thiscondition. This study aims to investigate the impact of vulnerable narcissism on social anxiety in adolescents, specificallyfocusing on the mediating effects of self-concept clarity (SCC) and self-esteem (SE) in the relationship between vulnerablenarcissism and social anxiety. Through cluster sampling, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 982 students from threesecondary schools in two provinces. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealedthat there was a significant negative correlation between vulnerable narcissism and both self-concept clarity and self-esteem,while there was a significant positive correlation between vulnerable narcissism and social anxiety. Additionally, self-conceptclarity showed a significant positive correlation with self-esteem but had a negative correlation with social anxiety. Both selfconceptclarity and self-esteem played an intermediary role in the chain linking vulnerable narcissism to social anxiety. Thisstudy confirms the mediating role of both self-concept clarity and self-esteem in explaining how vulnerable narcissisminfluences social anxiety, providing valuable insights into its underlying mechanism.

An Exploratory Study of the Relationships between Narcissism, Self-Esteem and Instagram Use

The aim of this mixed-methods exploratory study was to examine the relationship between narcissism, self-esteem and Instagram usage and was motivated by unsubstantiated media claims of increasing narcissism due to excessive use of social networks. A sample of 200 participants responded to an online survey which consisted of the Five Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and the Instagram Usage, Behaviours, and Affective Responses Questionnaire (IUBARQ) constructed specifically for the purposes of this study. There was only weak evidence for any relationship between narcissism and Instagram usage, suggesting that media concerns are somewhat exaggerated. However the negative correlation between vulnerable narcissism and self-esteem warrants further examination.

Insatiable Narcissism Underlying Addictive Behavior: Outline of a Biosystematic Model

This study is a contribution to basic research on narcissism shown on addictive behavior. A new biosystematic model of narcissism underlying addictive behavior is outlined. Basically, normal narcissism is defined as the self-reference of living systems maintaining their circular organization and identity. The communication between narcissistic systems follows the narcissistic logic of fitting or non-fitting of structures (a third possibility is excluded) shown on geometric diagrams. From this model of narcissistic interactions with the environment, addictive behavior is deduced. If the narcissistic desire for the ideal objects cannot be satisfied in the environment, the narcissist attempts to cope with this lack of intended objects by abuse of addictive substances. This leads to an overexpression of receptors in pertinent brain areas that may underly craving on the behavioral level, interpreted as pseudo satisfaction of narcissistic desires—destiny becomes an addiction. In conclusion, the significance of the biosystematic model of narcissism for the understanding of addictive communication and the psychopathology of depression is briefly discussed.

Is Facebook Linked to Selfishness? Investigating the Relationships among Social Media Use, Empathy, and Narcissism

The rise of social networking sites have led to changes in the nature of our social relationships, as well as how we present and perceive ourselves. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship among the following in adults: use of a highly popular social networking site—Facebook, empathy, and narcissism. The findings indicated that some Facebook activities, such as chatting, were linked to aspects of empathic concern, such as higher levels of Perspective Taking in males. The Photo feature in Facebook was also linked to better ability to place themselves in fictional situations. For only the females, viewing videos was associated with the extent to which they could identify with someone’s distress. The data also indicated that certain aspects of Facebook use, such as the photo feature, were linked to narcissism. However, the overall pattern of findings suggests that social media is primarily a tool for staying connected, than for self-promotion.

Freud and His Narcissism Theory—On Narcissism:An Introduction

Freud placed much emphasis on infantile sexuality and emphasized that many of our problems in later life come from our relationships with our parents, the so-called Oedipus complex. Freud’s work effected a profound revolution in man’s attitude towards, and comprehension of, his mental processes, constituting after Copernicus and Darwin, a third blow to man’s self-esteem.

Narcissism： Theories of Self and Knowledge with Reference to the Notion of Reflection

This paper analyzes the concept of Narcissism which stands behind the theory and critique of particular psychological manifestations of personality. I argue that this concept is essentially a trope of reflection and that reflection is thought of itself as itself which involves a ＂turning around upon oneself.＂ But we do not see ourselves as we actually are, or in our entirety as a physical entity; self knowledge is limited by our nature. What we do not see or attend to is glossed over with the idealizations that are attached to our interest and these are informed by instinctual, or unconscious, intent. The relation between self and other is both contained by and expressed in interpersonal and societal interaction, but still there is an inner aspect that remains sovereign and intimate. Societal values inform our identity, but cannot touch the inner self （or intimate self）. We only ever experience ourselves no matter how similar or intimate we are to others. Although physically different from others we mostly aim to be known （identified） in accordance with our own sense of value and self estimation, yet we do not escape judgment from others. One may resist any evidence or opinions about themselves from others that are not in accord with this sense of self value whilst easily accepting ideas and values to be true or accurate facts about them that they only wish to be true. From these two sources of ideas of oneself, internal and externally derived, we form a sense of ourself in comparison to ideal others. This sense of identity informs our actions and choices. We may continually monitor the effect our self-belief has on others and adjust our self-attitude accordingly. Or we may fail to see that others do not share those beliefs we have about ourselves （e.g., a job interview）. Narcissism is a human tendency to either exaggerate or underrate one＇s power or beauty and this leads to false self beliefs. These ideas about oneself are ego-syntonic, within the boundary of the ego, and are thus not （immediately） experienced as being false. Thus, the question as to what is real and what is imagined is at stake in considering how we reflect upon a self which is essentially also a reflection of how others see them. The concept of Narcissism involves this inviolable choice to act for ourself or for others＇ sake in the pursuit of freedom and satisfaction in social interactions. Taken as an axiologicaUy neutral mode of analysis, Narcissism illuminates the problem of being self in the world of others and goes to the possibility of self determination and knowledge. Specifically, I aim to show that self reflection is the key element of the idea or thought of self, but that form of reflection alone is not enough to ensure error since it is based on a fundamental illusion of ego integrity. However, the attentive mindfulness or open ideation of a purer form of thought which I term ＂active reflection＂ allows the possibility of new perspectives hitherto unavailable to the self to form, ensuring that rectification can proceed from experience

CFO narcissism and audit fees: Evidence from listed companies in China

This paper examines the effects of CFO narcissism on audit fees in China.Using the size of CFO signatures in annual audit reports to measure individual narcissism,we find that CFO narcissism is associated with higher audit fees.We find empirical evidence that CFO narcissism significantly increases the audit fees of listed companies,and this effect is stronger in state-owned enterprises.This paper also explores the mediating effects of financial information and the engagement of prestigious Big-4 and Big-10 firms.The results show that companies with narcissistic CFOs have lower quality financial information and prefer more prestigious firms,which leads to higher audit fees.This research highlights the importance of CFO narcissism in corporate performance and provides new evidence that will be useful for listed companies that plan to hire senior executives.

Personality Traits and Facebook Use: The Combined/Interactive Effect of Extraversion, Neuroticism and Conscientiousness

This study examined the influence of Big Five personality traits on Facebook usage and examined the interactions of traits in this context based on Torgersen’s (1995) typological approach. The effect of self-esteem, narcissism, loneliness, shyness and boredom proneness on Facebook usage was also investigated. The sample included both student (N = 190) and (N = 184) non-student samples. Narcissism was the strongest predictor of time spent on Facebook per day for both students and non-students. Narcissism was also the strongest predictor of number of daily logins for non-students, however, agreeableness was the strongest predictor of logins for students. Extraversion was the strongest predictor of number of Facebook friends for both students and non- students, however the interaction of Extraversion and Neuroticism was also a predictor of Facebook friends for students, and the interaction of Extraversion and Conscientiousness for non-students. Future research should consider the combined effect of personality traits on overall Facebook use.

Primal Scene in the Mirror—the Fate of Narcissus

In Ovid’s story Cephisus,the river-god,forces the beautiful nymph,Liriope into love-making under the waves.She gets pregnant and gives birth to Narcissus.The mother asks seer Tiresias if her son will live to a full age;his answer is“If he doesn’t discover himself”.Narcissus reaching a fountain to drink,the mirror of the water enchants him.From this dramatic moment he cannot leave the spring.Narcissus is notable to grasp why he cannot reach the desperately desired image.In the mirror of the water he does not only see his own figure but in the waves he is confronted with the primal scene repeatedly.We argue that the image in the water reflects the coitus of his parents.It terrifies him while simultaneously he becomes envious.His discovery leads him to death.The paper is based on dreams and clinical material of a psychoanalytical case.Our concept is in accord with some of the insights about narcissism of Lacan,Kohut,and Kernberg.

The Dark Reflection of Sadism within the Brilliance of the Narcissistic Persona

This double blind randomized clinical trial with 84 participants, revealed that mental patients diagnosed with narcissism, and narcissistic celebrities mirror each other’s paranoid, obsessive and histrionic symptomatology, grandiosity, manipulative charm, and inner emptiness. Elite narcissists manifested insidious sadism in the absence of depressive affect, while the narcissistic patients were differentiated by their depressive and masochistic symptomatology. Elite narcissists demonstrated advanced empathic skills, contradicting past literature. However, their empathic advantage appeared void of compassion, merely employed as a self-serving tactic to exploit, intimidate and subordinate. Both experimental narcissistic groups evidenced more prevalent psychopathology, yet, higher achievement, efficacy and ambition than their reciprocal control groups, confirming the narcissists’ finesse in concealing psychopathology under the brilliance of their pseudosuperiority. The main danger is the affinity between masochism and sadism, bonding low and high functioning narcissistic counterparts to endlessly feed from each-others’ pathology, forming dysfunctional interpersonal relationships, cults or disintegrating societies. This sadomasochistic dependency also reflects several countries’ authoritarian trends, where narcissistic constituents’ unyielding loyalty elevates idolized leaders to power, preluding the establishment of toxic tyrannical governments.

Political Skill of Narcissistic Leaders

A vast number of researches and studies have been conducted on narcissism, since the term was used to explain a psychological phenomenon in 1898. However, the discussions about narcissists as organization members or leaders have recently become a research topic in the organizational sciences. In this scope, the recent research on narcissism indicates that narcissistic leaders can either cause organizational tragedies or contribute to organizational success by their great vision. In addition to narcissism, another popular leadership feature is political skill which has attracted considerable attentions in recent years, and become one of the important topics of management studies. Moreover, political skill has been asserted to be a positive characteristic which is related to develop vision and team insight as well as to increase in members＇ trust and support; whereas narcissism has both harmful and beneficial effects on organizations. In this study, the relationships between the dimensions of narcissism and political skill are examined via the 16-item Narcissistic Personality Inventory （NPI） and the 18-item Political Skill Inventory. Analysis has shown that the authority, which is the adaptive dimension of narcissism, correlates positively with social astuteness and networking ability dimensions of political skill. Accordingly entitlement, which is one of the maladaptive dimensions of narcissism, correlates significantly and negatively with the networking ability, interpersonal influence and apparent sincerity dimensions of political skill. When political skill is considered as a composite score, the findings indicate that the authority dimension of narcissism has a positive effect whereas, the entitlement dimension has a negative effect on political skill. Besides, implications for future studies are discussed

The Double in Roxana： the Primitive and the Uncanny

I examine in this paper how Roxana explores the uncanny othemess of modem subjectivity, particularly through the figure of the double as a quintessential literary corollary of a narcissistic self whose problematic relation with oneself as well as the other is often represented in the form of the double. As an exquisite literary device that incarnates the repressed anxiety or fear of the self, which is often employed in Gothic or Romantic writings, the uncanny double works as a peculiar topos to belie and undermine the idea of modem subjectivity as an autonomous individual. Roxana deploys it with dexterity and power as a significant way to explore modem subjectivity. Amy largely plays the primitive double, while she also exhibits how the connotation of the double is historically altered. Susan as the uncanny double narcissism embodies Roxana＇s desire for a non-split self as well as self-fear, and her killing unavoidably leads to the suicidal destruction of Roxana herself.

The Inevitable Fall of the Dreamers:on the Comparison between the Syrian in Salome and Zhou Chong in Thunderstorm

As a world-renowned masterpiece of Irish outstanding playwright Oscar Wilde,the soul of the aestheticism movement,Salome,which adapted from the story of the daughter of Herodias in New Testament,has been continuing its glamorous and unique charm not only in the field of literature but in other artistic field.At present,academic studies about Salome has been developing many different interpretation from various angles,such as aestheticism,feminist studies,and other very insightful theories.And Thunderstorm written by Chinese playwright Cao Yu has the same theme as Salome-the inevitable death of dreamers,though the young Syrian and Zhou Chong are in different society systems.This paper would go deeper on the topic of the fall of these two sup⁃porting characters.