Do attachment anxiety and narcissism predict poor adjustment?: Senses of acceptance and rejection by other people and partners as mediators

Abstract

This study was conducted to reveal the commonalities and differences between the effects of attachment anxiety and narcissism on adjustment. Therefore, the hypothetical models in which both attachment anxiety and narcissism affect intrapersonal and interpersonal adjustment through senses of acceptance and rejection by other people and partners were examined. Participants were 580 undergraduates in Study 1 and 582 couples aged between their twenties and their fifties in Study 2. The results showed that both attachment anxiety and narcissism increased aggression toward other people and partners as low interpersonal adjustment, and these effects toward aggression were mediated by senses of acceptance by other people and partners. In addition, attachment anxiety increased depression as low intrapersonal adjustment, but narcissism inhibited depression, and these effects were mediated by senses of acceptance by other people and partners.