The role of narcissism and self-esteem in predicting peer-oriented and dating aggression in a sample of high-risk youths

In the psychological literature, low self-esteem has frequently been linked to aggressive behaviour in both youth and adults. These findings, however, have been challenged and it has been proposed that narcissism is actually the personality characteristic that gives rise to aggression towards others. Research investigating the relationship between narcissism, self-esteem and aggression in adolescents has emphasized the importance of examining both personality constructs to gain a better understanding of aggressive behaviour. The primary focus of this study is to expand on the literature examining narcissism, self-esteem and aggression in adolescents by investigating the relationship between these constructs in a sample of high-risk youth. Furthermore, this research will not only investigate peer-oriented aggression, but will extend the hypotheses to incorporate attitudes about dating aggression. Participants included 110 male and female youth between the ages of 12 to 18 years. Results indicated that narcissism predicts both peer-oriented aggression as well as attitudes towards aggression in a dating relationship for both male and female youth. Self-esteem was found to significantly predict peer-oriented aggression and attitudes towards dating aggression, but only when examined in conjunction with narcissism. No significant gender effects were found. Discussion focuses on the overlap between narcissism and self-esteem in predicting aggression, as well as an examination of different developmental trajectories which lead to aggressive behaviour.