Predicting Adaptive and Maladaptive Narcissistic Traits From Theory of Mind and Empathy in Early Adolescence

This study examined associations between adaptive and maladaptive narcissistic traits, theory of mind (ToM), and empathy in a sample of 10- to 12-year-old adolescents. Participants ( N = 130, M _age = 10.84 years, 69 girls) completed self-report measures assessing dimensions of narcissism (adaptive and maladaptive) and empathy (cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and intention to comfort) as well as two advanced ToM tasks, the Strange Stories test and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test. Performance on the Strange Stories test was positively associated with adaptive narcissistic traits (authority and self-sufficiency), whereas a stronger self-reported intention to comfort others was associated with lower levels of these traits. In addition, both higher affective empathy and a greater intention to comfort were associated with lower levels of maladaptive narcissistic traits (entitlement, exploitativeness, and exhibitionism). Age and gender did not have a moderating impact on these relationships.