Discrepancies between implicit and explicit self-esteem: Implications for narcissism and self-esteem instability

Zeigler‐Hill, Virgil

doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00371.x

Cited by 350Personality Traits and PsychologySocial and Intergroup PsychologyEmotions and Moral Behavior

Discrepancies between implicit and explicit self-esteem: Implications for narcissism and self-esteem instability

Zeigler‐Hill, Virgil·2006·Journal of Personality

DOI 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00371.x

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Abstract

There appear to be two forms of high self-esteem: secure high self-esteem (which is often linked with psychological health) and fragile high self-esteem (which is generally associated with poor psychological adjustment and impaired interpersonal relationships). Discrepant high self-esteem is a form of fragile self-esteem characterized by high explicit self-esteem and low implicit self-esteem. The present study examined whether discrepant high self-esteem was associated with narcissism and self-esteem instability in an undergraduate sample. Using multiple measures of implicit self-esteem, two basic findings emerged from the present study. First, participants with discrepant high self-esteem possessed the highest levels of narcissism. Second, participants with high explicit self-esteem and high implicit self-esteem displayed the most stable self-esteem. Findings are discussed in terms of secure and fragile high self-esteem.

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Narcissistic individuals exhibit high explicit but fragile implicit self-esteem, contributing to self-esteem instability and driving reliance on maladaptive self-enhancement strategies.
“Empirical evidence supports this conceptualization, demonstrating that narcissistic individuals exhibit high explicit but fragile implicit self-esteem, contributing to self-esteem instability and driving reliance on maladaptive self-enhancement strategies (57).”
From Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach (2025) · cites this paper as [57]

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“Interestingly, while these results were in line with the supposed behavioral patterns of self-esteem, they seemed to be inconsistent with past research that suggests disassociations between explicit and implicit self-esteem [46,47].”
Result
Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach
Albert, A. E., & Back, A. L. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1529427 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Empirical evidence supports this conceptualization, demonstrating that narcissistic individuals exhibit high explicit but fragile implicit self-esteem, contributing to self-esteem instability and driving reliance on maladaptive self-enhancement strategies (57).”

Authors: Zeigler‐Hill, V.
Affiliations: University of Southern Mississippi (US)
Corresponding author: Zeigler‐Hill, Virgil
ORCID: Zeigler‐Hill, Virgil
Venue: Journal of Personality
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2005-11-15
Volume: 74
Issue: 1
Pages: 119-144
ISSN: 0022-3506 (ISSN-L)
1467-6494
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00371.x
OpenAlex: W2164737502
Cited by: 350
References: 101
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 22
FWCI: 12.34
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Journal of Personality (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Aquila Digital Community (University of Southern Mississippi) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
Keywords: implicit self-esteem, explicit self-esteem, narcissism, self-esteem instability, psychological adjustment, interpersonal relationships
MeSH terms: Adult, Defense Mechanisms, Emotions, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Narcissism, Personality Inventory, Self Concept, Students

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Discrepancies between implicit and explicit self-esteem: Implications for narcissism and self-esteem instability

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