140

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

INTERACTION BETWEEN NARCISSISM PERSONALITY TYPE AND

SELF-REGULATION IN STUDENTS PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES

Vuasl Aliguliyev1

Abstract: The article is devoted to the study of the relationship between narcissism personality type

and self-regulation. 150 students participated in our research. The main part of the selection is students

studying at a higher education institution. The study showed that when evaluating the dierences

between groups with dierent severity of the indicator of self-regulation and self-attitude, signicant

dierences were obtained only on two scales: lack of empathy and envy of the achievements of others.

A lack of empathy and envy of others’ achievements appeared to be more common among respondents

with low self-esteem, i.e., those with predominantly negative self-images. The eects of personality

type and narcissistic personality traits on self-attitude factors are negative, except for grandiose self-

worth and belief in one’s own uniqueness. It was found that there is a contradiction in the structure

of self-attitude of a narcissistic personality: a positive self-attitude maintains an acceptable level due

to greatness and belief in one’s own uniqueness and specialness, but precisely these characteristics

emerge. being the basis for envy and manipulation in interpersonal relationships. Realizing that

such strategies are unacceptable leads to shame and experiencing one’s own aws. In response, the

personality either focuses on the painful side of such experiences, which increases feelings of envy,

leading to narcissistic outbursts of anger and submissive behavior, or strives for self-armation and

social achievement, which helps maintain a sense of superiority.

Keywords: n a r c i s s i s t i c p e r s o n a l i t y t y p e , s e l f - e s t e e m , s e l f - a t t i t u d e , s e l f - r e g u l a t i o n s u c c e s s ,

psychological factors

1 Doctorant in Psychology, Odlar Yurdu University Orcid: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4933-

6038

141

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

Introduction

It is true that dierent types of psychopathologies are characteristic for cultural societies

in dierent periods of historical development. Although these mental disorders do not have obvious

manifestations, they manifest themselves in dierent ways of behavior, communication and social

relations. In this regard, narcissism is one of the most urgent problems of modern society. One of the

main etymologies of this phenomenological breakdown begins with the connection between external

environmental orientations and internal conicts. At this time, conicts between the needs of the

individual and the society arise when the social situation contradicts the wishes of the individual.

In such situations, various types of psychopathological disorders appear, and narcissism is one of

them. It should be taken into account that exactly in such a case, conicts arise between the external

behavior of the narcissistic personality and his inner feelings of self-understanding, and the basis for

the development of a deep feeling of incompleteness is formed.

The further development of the process depends on the individual’s self-awareness and self-

development [Jabbarov, 2012]. Undoubtedly, such a trend allows us to say that the narcissistic personality

type manifests itself in all spheres of society. Of course, it is dicult to determine the etymology of

narcissism without examining the psychopathological behavior patterns of the narcissistic personality.

Also, if we take into account that the narcissism personality type is directly caused by self-attitude,

then it becomes clear that narcissism is possible at the lower level of self-regulation. Studies show that

the concept of “narcissism” is historically associated with the ancient Greek myth Narcissus [Kun,

2009].

According to Freud (2007), narcissism can be viewed as a process of self-selection as a

libidinal object and as a normal stage between autoerotism and object love experienced and perceived

by a person at an early age [Freud, 2007].

Reich (2006) shows that the response to interactions with the external environment is the

142

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

formation of character, which is intended to fulll the function of maintaining normal narcissism. This

is a derivative concentrated in the psychic structure to express the characteristic shield-narcissistic

defense. [Reich, 2006]. In the works of Reich (2006), narcissism is rst associated with shyness (the

narcissist mentions shy blushing when working with patients [Reich, 2006].

A number of studies show that narcissists, like neurotics, are indiscriminately hungry for

favors or appreciation. In addition, he is the rst to express a sense of incompleteness expressed in the

form of complaints or concerns, or the need for self-improvement with an obsessive tendency to make

a good impression [Horni, 2001]. However, narcissism is often a manifestation of the fear of loss of

identity and fragmentation of one’s “I”, which often manifests itself in preoccupation with physical

health, appearance, and hypochondria. [MacWilliams, 2015]. Summarizing the theoretical sources

we have studied, we come to the conclusion that the main feature of narcissism is its bipolarity: the

basis of the narcissistic personality type is the conict between external grandiose manifestations and

internal feelings of inferiority, and the former acts as a racist, to compensate for the latter. activates the

defense mechanism. The main goal of this article is to determine the relationship between narcissism

and self-regulation.

Literature review

In psychological and psychotherapeutic sources, much attention is paid to the problem of

narcissism [Yomans, 2018; Kornilova and Chumakova, 2018; Beck, and Freeman, 2017; Pincus and

Roche, 2011; Zeigler-Hill, 2011; Jabbarov, 2021]. This interest is related to the current cultural situation

and social priorities that promote individuality, determination, condence and independence. Modern

man is more concerned with self-realization, self-armation and self-regulation than in previous

times. This is its positive side. (Jabbarov, 2017). But on the other side of paying attention to individuality

and the uniqueness of one’s personality - “dark” arrogance, manipulation, neglect of moral norms,

diculties in establishing emotionally signicant and reliable relationships are manifested.

143

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

Narcissistic traits can exist in the personality structure and support the desire for success,

achievement, self-actualization, career, and social recognition. During periods of developmental

crises (for example, during adolescence or during physiological and mental aging), the severity of

narcissistic traits may increase in response to physiological changes in the body and changes in social

expectations, which may cause diculties in social adjustment.

Contemporary research on narcissism reects the existence of deep-seated problems with

personality and emotional functioning disorders dened using similar or identical characteristics, and

the understanding of narcissism encompasses a signicant continuum of phenomena related to both

normative mental functioning and clinical manifestations. [Beck, and Freeman, 2017; Pincus and

Roche, 2011; Zeigler‐Hill , 2011 ].

Narcissism is also brought into focus as a borderline personality disorder. The main pathological

feature of the borderline personality organization is the violation of the integration and integrity of the

personality, diuse personality, which results in the complexity, uncertainty and chaotic nature of the

inner world of the borderline personality, unable to recognize internal contradictions [Yomans, 2018;

Kornilova and Chumakova, 2018].

On the one hand, during narcissism, personality diusion aects self-awareness, leads to

cognitive distortions and emotional dysregulation. On the other hand, the marker of this diusion

becomes dysfunctional interpersonal relationships, in the context of which the drama of the narcissistic

personality takes place - the drama of its fragmentation, impulsivity, self-aggrandizement and self-

depreciation.

Research shows that diuse personality is one of the main characteristics of narcissistic

personality. This can be investigated using the diagnosis of the individual’s attitude towards himself

(self-concept, self-esteem). This is “the inability of the psyche to regulate self-esteem and maintain

it at a normal level.” This system is the basis of the psychological defect of narcissistic personality

[Kohut, 2017].

Research shows that the self-concept of a narcissistic personality is characterized by either

144

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

a strongly negative or a strongly positive self-image. Here is a sense of one’s own uniqueness, one’s

own moral code; grandiose fantasies associated with a positive self-image [Dmitrieva, 2010]. Self-

care and an inated sense of self-worth lead to a clear predominance of the motive of achievement and

superiority, which leaves a mark in interpersonal relationships accompanied by painful experiences

and constant comparison with more successful people [Shamshikova and Klepukova, 2010].

In the narcissistic personality type and disorder, greatness is often combined with the

experience of psychological fragility, accompanied by the fear of losing oneself, losing self-esteem.

The spread and blurring of intrapersonal and interpersonal boundaries is determined by the complex

interaction of the main characteristics of the narcissistic personality - grandiosity, sensitivity,

privileges. Depending on the dominant tendency - grandiosity or weakness - grandiose and sensitive

types of narcissism are distinguished [Luchner, 2011; Paulhus, 2002]. Grandiose narcissists tend to

be energetic and optimistic, have high self-esteem, and are more willing to take advantage of other

people. Sensitive narcissists are sensitive to threats and prone to anxiety and negative aect. Their

inherent vulnerability and frustration caused by unmet expectations lead to social disorganization

and avoidance in a failed attempt to manage self-esteem. It causes shame, depression, anger, hostility,

and often results in outbursts of narcissistic rage.

Studies show that there is a positive relationship between grandiose narcissism and subjective

well-being and a negative relationship with psychological distress [Helgeson, 2000; Dufner et al,

2012; Morph, 2001]. Regardless of whether grandiosity or inferiority predominates in the personality

structure, heightened sensitivity to social comparisons aects self-esteem stability and mood swings,

along with negative experiences of interpersonal interactions [Dufner et al, 2012; Morph, 2001]. This

look It is very important to determine the relationship between narcissistic personality type and self-

regulation.

145

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

Methodology

150 students participated in our research. 70 people (46.66%) are young student girls, and 80

people (54.34%) are young student boys. is a man. The main part of the selection is students studying

at a higher education institution.

Two questionnaires were used to diagnose narcissism and self-attitude: the Short Dark

Trio Questionnaire aimed at identifying personality traits such as Machiavellianism, narcissism,

and psychopathy, the “Narcissistic Personality Traits” questionnaire, and the “Big Five” Short

Questionnaire for diagnosing personality traits. In addition, the “Self Attitude Questionnaire” was

used to study self-regulation, which allows us to determine aspects of self-attitude such as self-esteem,

auto-sympathy, self-interest, expectation of attitude towards oneself and a general person. During

the statistical evaluation of the data, correlation analysis methods, non-parametric Mann-Whitney and

Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multi-linear regression were used.

Results

In our study, the relationship between self-regulation, self-relationship and narcissistic

personality types was initially evaluated. Statistically signicant relationships were determined

between indicators of self-esteem, the shadowy triad of personality types and narcissistic traits (

Table 1).

146

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

Table 1. Relationship between self-regulation and narcissistic personality traits indicators

Note. * – p<0.05; ** – p<0.01. level is important.

Correlations between dark triad questionnaires and self-attitude scales and narcissistic

traits are mostly negative. However, self-interest and automatic liking show positive relationships

with narcissism, a sense of grandiose self-importance, preoccupation with fantasy, belief in one’s

uniqueness, and the need for admiration. Also, belief in one’s own uniqueness is positively associated

with expected attitudes from others.

Gauges or

scales

Scales Self attitude Self regulation Self-interest Expected attitude

The dark

trinity

The scale of Machiavellianism -0,230* 0,335* 0,490** 0.320*

Narcissism scale -189* 0.120* 0,470** -470*

Psychopathy scale -260* --146* -0,366**

Narcissistic

personality

types

Great sense of self worth -0,180* -0,290** 0.426*

Being captivated by fantasies

of unlimited success and

power

0,148** -0,386* -

Belief in your own

uniqueness 0,123* 0,160* 0,220** 0,391*

The need for wonder 0,164* 0,154* 0,206* -

Feeling privileged 0,220** 0,220* --0,356**

Eectiveness in interpersonal

relationships -0,387** 0,112* 0,270** -0,166*

Lack of empathy -0,462* 0,244* -0,178**

Being jealous of other

people’s achievements -0,390** - - -0,430**

Showing humble, arrogant

behavior -0,199* - - -0,498**

147

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

Table 2. The relationship between self-regulation and the Big Five questionnaire indicators

Note. * – p<0.05; ** – p<0.01. level is important.

Aspects of self-regard - self-esteem, auto-sympathy, self-interest, the attitude expected from

others - relationships obtained between personality traits such as agreeableness, conscientiousness,

emotional stability, openness to experience are completely natural. These personality traits reect a

socially oriented, cooperative, responsible and emotionally balanced personality in its high values.

Therefore, a positive, accepting attitude towards oneself is a natural consequence of such personal

preconditions. However, an increase in the severity of certain personality traits, for example,

extraversion, is associated with an increase in narcissistic manifestations.

The study showed that when assessing the dierences between groups with dierent severity

of self-regulation and self-attitude i indicator, signicant dierences were obtained only on two

scales: lack of empathy and envy of others’ achievements. A lack of empathy and envy of others’

achievements appeared to be more common among respondents with low self-esteem, i.e., those with

predominantly negative self-images. The eects of the Dark Triad scale and narcissistic personality

traits on self-attitude factors are negative, except for grandiose self-worth and belief in one’s own

uniqueness. These two scales, acting as predictors of attitude expected from others (belief in one’s own

uniqueness) and self-interest, self-esteem, support the view of social goodness. So, it was determined

that there is a relationship between self-regulation and narcissistic personality type.

They appear to mimic positive traits, but their excess and exaggeration make them symptoms

of conict, inconsistency, and instability of self-concept and undermine self-regulation. At the same

Scales Self attitude Self regulation Self-interest Expected attitude

Agreement 0,216* 0,260* 0,130* 0,262*

Honesty 0,430** -159* 0,143* 0,345*

Emotional stability 0,266** 0,266** 0,224** 0,446**

For practice 0.498* 0,360* 0,154** 0,294**

148

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

time, the negative inuence of self-attitude as a whole on self-regulation is subjected to signicant

internal pressure of narcissistic traits recognized by the individual in one way or another, and in

order to counteract this inuence, the individual makes additional eorts to reduce it. These eorts

are accompanied by envy of others’ achievements, submissive behavior, intensity of experiences

associated with Machiavellianism.

Discussion and Conclusion

The obtained results help to understand the relationship between narcissistic traits and

the individual’s attitude towards himself. The narcissistic personality becomes a hostage to its

own grandeur, setting ever greater and less realistic goals for itself. His attitude towards himself is

deformed: on the one hand, the feelings experienced about his grandeur and uniqueness increase self-

interest, auto-sympathy and self-esteem; Expectations of honor and admiration from other people

seem quite real. On the other hand, self-esteem is attacked by destructive impulses arising from envy,

the desire to control other people, to use them for their own ends. In order to maintain self-regard at

a subjectively good and socially acceptable level, the individual seeks ways to reduce the pressure

of these impulses. Thus, there is a contradiction in the structure of the self-relation of a narcissistic

personality: a positive self-relation maintains an acceptable level due to greatness and belief in one’s

own uniqueness and specialness, but precisely these characteristics emerge. being the basis for envy

and manipulation in interpersonal relationships. Realizing that such strategies are unacceptable leads

to shame and experiencing one’s own aws - vulnerability. In response, the personality either focuses

on the painful side of such experiences, which increases feelings of envy, leading to narcissistic

outbursts of anger and submissive behavior, or strives for self-armation and social achievement,

which helps maintain a sense of superiority.

According to the results of our study, lack of empathy and envy of others’ achievements

are most often manifested among respondents who have a negative view of their own personality.

149

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

A narcissistic personality’s self-esteem is unstable. A focus on constant conrmation of one’s

uniqueness, together with negative interpersonal experiences, failures, rejection, and various threats

to self-esteem, leads to low self-esteem and mood swings [Luchner et.al, 2011; Miller et al, 2012; Morf

and Rhodewalt, 2001; Paulhus and Williams, 2002; Pincus and Roche, 2011, Jabbarov 2021]. Our

results are in good agreement with these ideas. Correlations between most dark triad and narcissistic

trait scales and self-attitude scales are negative.

Our study was conducted among young people without a narcissistic diagnosis. The

relationships obtained between self-attitude and personality types are positive. In these relationships,

a person’s self-image system appears to be whole, emotionally, morally, and socially balanced. Self-

respect, self-acceptance, self-interest are accompanied by the desire to follow social and moral norms,

take responsibility, regulate one’s emotions and take into account the values of others. Correlations

between the Big Five scales and the narcissistic scales are negative, except for extraversion. We found

positive relationships between extraversion and psychopathy and narcissism scales, which is consistent

with many studies [Morf and Rhodewalt, 2001; Paulhus and Williams, 2002; Pincus and Roche, 2011;

Aghajani et al. 2014].

In our opinion, this relationship is supported by one of the main narcissistic traits - grandiosity,

and the grandiosity-based behavior pattern includes social activity aimed at seeking recognition and

admiration. However, in this case, extraversion mainly reects the eorts of the narcissistic personality

related to self-regulation and aect regulation.

Our results are consistent with a number of proposed dynamic models of self-regulation of

narcissism, which suggest that a strong but vulnerable self-esteem is key to understanding narcissism.

Vulnerability is at the core of the narcissistic personality’s self-armation, and it feeds back into

maintaining fragile self-esteem. To regulate self-esteem, the narcissistic personality uses reappraisal

and pressure on others, which helps reduce ego threats and maintain a sense of self-worth.

During the study of self-attitude and narcissistic personality traits, signicant relationships

between self-attitude, dark triad and narcissistic personality traits were identied. These relationships

150

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

are mostly negative. However, it shows positive relationships with self-interest and self-regulation

scales: Also, the belief in one’s own uniqueness is positively related to the attitude expected from

others. The relationship between positive aspects of self-attitude and personality traits is positive.

These relationships characterize the personality as socially oriented, cooperative, responsible and

emotionally balanced. Therefore, a positive, accepting attitude towards oneself is a natural consequence

of such personal preconditions.

Extraversion supports increased narcissistic traits. The meaning of this connection seems to

be the need for activity and recognition, which is characteristic of the grandiose aspect of narcissism

and related behavior - the search for a community to spread its inuence and will be the basis for

narcissistic fantasies.

A lack of empathy and envy of others’ achievements are more common among respondents

with a negative self-image. Here the sensitive side of narcissism is more evident, associated with

conscious limitation of social relations, anger and envy.

The eects of the Dark Triad scale and narcissistic personality traits on self-attitude factors

are negative, except for grandiose self-worth and belief in one’s own uniqueness. These two scales

inuencing self-regard maintain the appearance of social well-being in the self-belief system of the

narcissistic personality [Zeigler-Hill and Jordan, 2011]. On the other hand, this eect conrms the

need for recognition of the narcissistic personality. A great sense of self-worth and belief in one’s own

uniqueness play a protective role - it is a barrier not only to external threats, but also to immanent ego

threats, the pressure of which leads to the experience of uselessness and self-degradation. Thus, the

relationships studied between self-attitude and narcissistic traits reect the deep contradictions of the

narcissistic personality. Based on the limitations of the study, it is almost impossible to generalize the

results obtained due to the small sample size and the limited age of the participants, which indicates

the need for further research on the results of the study.

151

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

References

Aghajani T, Jabbarov R, Mustafayev M. (2014). The Eect of Playing on Children’s Social Skills

(Case of Study: Preschool Children in Tehran). J Iran Soc Dev Stud (JISDS). 2014;6(3).

Dufner M., Denissen J., Zalk M., et al.(2012). Positive intelligence illusions: On the relation between

intellectual self‐enhancement and psychological adjustment // Journal of Personality.. 80. 3. 537–

572. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2011.00742.x

Helgeson V.S., Fritz H.L. (2000). The implications of unmitigated agency and unmitigated communion

for domains of problem behavior // Journal of Personality. 68.6.1031–1057. doi:10.1111/1467-

6494.00125

Jabbarov, R. (2017). Traumatic factors aecting the self-realization of students. InternationalJournal of

Pharmaceutical sciences and research, 8(6), 2682-2690. http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.8

(6).2682-90

Jabbarov R.V.(2021). Psychological direction of the formation of multicultural values.

Revista on line de Política e Gestão Educacional, 3 (1), 620-637 le:///C:/-Users/ACER/

Downloads/24_+ID+15003+RPGE.+Rashid_FT+(rev)%20(1).pdf

Luchner A.F., Houston J.M., Walker C., et al.(2011). Exploring the relationship between two

forms of narcissism and competitiveness // Personality and Individual Dierences. 51. 6. . 779–

782. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2011.06.033

Miller J.D., Price J., Gentile B., et al. (2012). Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism from the

perspective of the interpersonal circumplex // Personality and Individual Dierences. 53. 4. 507–

512. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2012.04.026

Morf C.C., Rhodewalt F. (2001). Unraveling the Paradoxes of Narcissism: A Dynamic Self-Regulatory

Processing Model // Psychological Inquiry. 12. 4. 177–196. doi:10.1207/S15327965PLI1204_1

Paulhus D.L., Williams K.M. (2002). The Dark Triad of Personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism,

152

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

and Psychopathy // Journal of Research in Personality. 36. 6. 556–563. doi:10.1016/S0092-

6566(02)00505-6

Pincus A.L., Roche M.J. (2011). Narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability // Handbook

of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder: Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Findings, and

Treatments 31–40.

Ramiz, A. K., Vakil C. R.(2020). Socio-psychological issues of changing values in adolescents–youth

in education // Práxis Educacional. 6 (37). 578–590. DOI: 10.22481/ praxisedu.v16i37.6406

Zeigler-Hill V., Jordan C.H. (2011). Behind the Mask. Narcissism and Implicit Self-Esteem //

Handbook of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder: Theoretical Approaches, Empirical

Findings, and Treatments / W.K. Campbell, J.D. Miller (eds.). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 101–115.

Джаббаров, Р.В. (2012). «О принципах формирования мотивов самореализации в процессе

обучения.» Вектор науки Тольяттинского государственного университета. Серия: Педагогика,

психология 3: 125-127

Йоманс Ф., Кларкин Д., Кернберг О.(2018). Психотерапия, фокусированная на переносе при

пограничном расстройстве личности. М.: б/и .

Кун Н. А.(2009). Мифы древней Греции. М.: Роосса.

Кохут Х. (2017). Анализ самости. Систематический подход к лечению нарциссических

нарушений личности. М.: Когито-Центр.

Корнилова Т.В., Чумакова М.А. (2016). Апробация краткого опросника Большой пятерки

.Психологические исследования. 9.46. :.5. URL: http://www.psystudy.ru/index.php/

num/2016v9n46/1259-kornilova46

Левитов, Н.Д. (1964). О психических состояниях человека. М.: Изд-во «Просвещение»,

Мак-Вильямс Н.(2015). Психоаналитическая диагностика: понимание структуры личности в

клиническом процессе. М.: Независимая фирма «Класс»

Немов, Р.С. (2007). Психологический словарь. М.: Изд-во Владос.

153

ISSN: 2763-5724 / Vol. 04 - n 04 - ano 2024

Фрейд З.(2007). Психоаналитические заметки об одном автобиографически описанном случае

паранойи (dementia paranoides) Шребер // Знаменитые случаи из практики. М.: Когито-Центр

Хорни К. (2001).Культура и неврозы // Зарубежный психоанализ, хрестоматия.Спб.: Питер

Райх В. (2006). Характероанализ. — М.: Когито-Центр.

Шамшикова О.А, Клепикова Н.М.(2010). Опросник «Нарциссические черты личности» //

Психологический журнал. 31. 2. : 114–128.