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Review
. 2021 Sep 30:12:674679.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.674679. eCollection 2021.

Effects of Self-Concept on Narcissism: Mediational Role of Perceived Parenting

Maryam Farzand  1 , Yagmur Cerkez  1 , Engin Baysen  1
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Self-Concept on Narcissism: Mediational Role of Perceived Parenting

Maryam Farzand et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

An increase in narcissism has been reported by experts over the years. Narcissists bring a lot of negative consequences to themselves and to the people around them. This study investigates that perceived parenting leads to the development of inflated, unstable self-concept. The inflated self-concept lays the framework for the development of narcissistic traits among individuals; perceived parenting affects this relationship. A sample of 628 adults was taken from North Cyprus through purposive sampling. Scales for perceived parenting, self-concept, and narcissism were administered. Results showed that the statistically significant variance in the self-concept is explained by perceived parenting. Both mothers and fathers contributed significantly to the development of inflated self-concept. Moreover, multiple linear regression results showed a higher significant variance in narcissistic traits due to self-concept compared with perceived parenting. Mediational tests also showed that high levels of narcissistic traits were indirectly related to self-concept through perceived parenting. The study findings have challenged the notion of only mothers being responsible for narcissistic traits among their children. The study results also suggest that targeting self-concept in individuals with narcissistic traits may be a good directive for therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: behavior; mediation; narcissism; perceived parenting; self-concept.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Medgraph shows indirect effect of self-concept and narcissism through perceived parenting. The numerical values in parentheses are beta weights taken from the second regression and the other values are zero order correlations. ***p < 0.001 and *p < 0.05.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Medgraph shows indirect effect of likeability and authority through involvement (perceived). The numerical values in parentheses are beta weights taken from the second regression and the other values are zero order correlations. ***p < 0.001 and *p < 0.05.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Medgraph shows indirect effect of likeability and exhibitionism through positive parenting (perceived). The numerical values in parentheses are beta weights taken from the second regression and the other values are zero order correlations. ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01 and *p < 0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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