Narcissism as Predictor of Pro-Socialness and Aggression: The Mediating Role of Empathy

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of empathy, considering narcissism as a predictor variable in two different models, with pro-sociality as the dependent variable in the first and dimensions of agression in the second. The sample was composed of 205 respondents from João Pessoa (m = 27.43, sd = 9.13). We used the Single-Item Narcissism Scale, the Multidimensional Interpersonal Reactivity Scale, the Pro-Sociability Scale, the Aggression Questionnaire, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The data were processed using ibm spss and amos through descriptive and inferential analyses (correlations and mediation). The main results pointed to negative direct effects of narcissism on empathy and pro-social behavior and to direct positive effects on aggression. Furthermore, it was confirmed that empathy has a mediating role in the relation between narcissism and pro-sociability, which was not found for the relation between narcissism and aggression. These findings corroborate previous studies and contribute to the comprehension of the interrelationships of the studied constructs.