Self-esteem and psychopathic traits among undergraduate students: A structural equation modelling approach

Abstract

This present study aimed to assess the role of self-esteem in the development of psychopathy among undergraduate students (N= 600). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) techniques were used to analyze the model. On the measurement level, all fit indices were examined and on a structural level, relationships between latent variables were assessed. To explore the model, five latent variables including three factors of psychopathic traits: egocentricity, callous and antisocial traits, and two factors of self-esteem: positive self-esteem and negative self-esteem were identified. The result indicated the promising role of negative self-esteem in the development of psychopathy. Results also revealed that positive self-esteem was negatively related to both antisocial traits and egocentricity. Furthermore, negative self-esteem was found as positively related to antisocial traits of psychopathy suggesting that those students who were high on negative self-esteem were involved in antisocial acts. Overall results indicated that positive self-esteem buffer against antisocial and egocentric traits of psychopathy and found as a safeguard against developing psychopathic traits whiles negative self-esteem is the promising element in the development of psychopathic traits among students.