TY - JOUR

T1 - Psychometric properties of the German narcissism inventory 90 (NI-90) in a clinical and non-clinical sample of adolescents

T2 - A comparative study

AU - Koch, Tobias

AU - Bondue, Rebecca

AU - Daig, Isolde

AU - Fliege, Herbert

AU - Scheithauer, Herbert

N1 - Vol. 45, No. 1, 2012, Issue release date: November 2011

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Background: The Narcissism Inventory (NI) is a frequently used German inventory for measuring narcissism in clinical settings; an additional short version (NI-90) also exists. Psychometric properties of the NI-90 scales were examined in clinical and non-clinical adolescent samples. Methods: Two adolescent samples were assessed with the NI-90: a non-clinical sample (n = 439, mean age ± SD = 15.05 ± 1.77 years) and a clinical sample (n = 235, 18.26 ± 0.77 years). Confirmatory factor analysis and principle component analysis were used to scrutinize the structure of the scales. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict the scores on two scales (helpless self; negative body self). Results: This study revealed heterogeneity in the NI-90 scales, which in turn explains the wide range seen in Cronbach's α (from 0.53 to 0.93). The postulated 4-factor structure could not be replicated in both samples. Multiple regression analysis revealed that personality disorder did not significantly predict negative body self or helpless self scores, whereas eating, mood, as well as somatoform and conversion disorders did. One NI-90 scale (greedy for praise and reassurance) showed sufficient psychometric quality for the measurement of narcissism in both samples. Conclusion: Based on the results, the authors recommend revising the NI-90. Items that may be useful for measuring aspects related to affective and body image complaints are presented. The greedy for praise and reassurance scale may be valuable for measuring features of 'overt' narcissism.

AB - Background: The Narcissism Inventory (NI) is a frequently used German inventory for measuring narcissism in clinical settings; an additional short version (NI-90) also exists. Psychometric properties of the NI-90 scales were examined in clinical and non-clinical adolescent samples. Methods: Two adolescent samples were assessed with the NI-90: a non-clinical sample (n = 439, mean age ± SD = 15.05 ± 1.77 years) and a clinical sample (n = 235, 18.26 ± 0.77 years). Confirmatory factor analysis and principle component analysis were used to scrutinize the structure of the scales. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict the scores on two scales (helpless self; negative body self). Results: This study revealed heterogeneity in the NI-90 scales, which in turn explains the wide range seen in Cronbach's α (from 0.53 to 0.93). The postulated 4-factor structure could not be replicated in both samples. Multiple regression analysis revealed that personality disorder did not significantly predict negative body self or helpless self scores, whereas eating, mood, as well as somatoform and conversion disorders did. One NI-90 scale (greedy for praise and reassurance) showed sufficient psychometric quality for the measurement of narcissism in both samples. Conclusion: Based on the results, the authors recommend revising the NI-90. Items that may be useful for measuring aspects related to affective and body image complaints are presented. The greedy for praise and reassurance scale may be valuable for measuring features of 'overt' narcissism.

KW - Sociology

KW - Adolescence

KW - Narcissism

KW - Narcissism Inventory 90

KW - Self-regulation

KW - Validity

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=82455210446&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1159/000328579

DO - 10.1159/000328579

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 22123516

AN - SCOPUS:82455210446

VL - 45

SP - 53

EP - 60

JO - Psychopathology

JF - Psychopathology

SN - 0254-4962

IS - 1

ER -