Childhood physical abuse and aggression: Shame and narcissistic vulnerability

Keene, Amanda C.; Epps, James

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.09.012

Cited by 74Child Abuse and TraumaBullying, Victimization, and AggressionPersonality Traits and Psychology

Childhood physical abuse and aggression: Shame and narcissistic vulnerability

Keene, Amanda C., Epps, James·2016·Child Abuse & Neglect

DOI 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.09.012

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Abstract

This study examined narcissistic vulnerability and shame-proneness as potential mediators between childhood physical abuse (CPA) and adult anger and aggression. Participants were 400 undergraduate students, 134 of whom had a history of CPA. All participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing history of CPA, shame-proneness, narcissistic vulnerability, physical aggression, trait anger, and hostility. Results indicated abused participants were more angry and aggressive and experienced higher levels of shame-proneness and narcissistic vulnerability than nonabused participants. Multiple mediation analyses showed that narcissistic vulnerability, but not shame-proneness, partially mediated the relation between abuse and physical aggression. However, narcissistic vulnerability and shame-proneness both emerged as partial mediators between abuse and the anger and hostility variables. These findings suggest that narcissistic vulnerability and shame-proneness may function as mediators of adjustment following childhood maltreatment. Study limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.

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Authors: Keene, A. C., & Epps, J.
Affiliations: University of South Florida (US)
Corresponding author: Epps, James
Venue: Child Abuse & Neglect
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2016-01
Volume: 51
Pages: 276-283
ISSN: 0145-2134 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.09.012
OpenAlex: W2173169223
Cited by: 74
References: 56
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2
FWCI: 3.31
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Child Abuse & Neglect (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Keywords: child physical abuse, narcissistic vulnerability, shame proneness, physical aggression, trait anger, hostility, child abuse, mediation, adult adjustment
MeSH terms: Physical Abuse, Adolescent, Adult, Aggression, Analysis of Variance, Anger, Child, Child Abuse, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Narcissism, Personality Inventory, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Shame, United States, Adult Survivors of Child Abuse, Young Adult

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Childhood physical abuse and aggression: Shame and narcissistic vulnerability

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