Expanding the Nomological Net of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory: German Validation and Extension in a Clinical Inpatient Sample
Abstract
The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) is a multidimensional measure for assessing grandiose and vulnerable features in narcissistic pathology. The aim of the present research was to construct and validate a German translation of the PNI and to provide further information on the PNI's nomological net. Findings from a first study confirm the psychometric soundness of the PNI and replicate its seven-factor first-order structure. A second-order structure was also supported but with several equivalent models. A second study investigating associations with a broad range of measures ( DSM Axis I and II constructs, emotions, personality traits, interpersonal and dysfunctional behaviors, and well-being) supported the concurrent validity of the PNI. Discriminant validity with the Narcissistic Personality Inventory was also shown. Finally, in a third study an extension in a clinical inpatient sample provided further evidence that the PNI is a useful tool to assess the more pathological end of narcissism.
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- Authors
- Morf, C. C., Schürch, E., Küfner, A., Siegrist, P., Vater, A., Back, M., Mestel, R., & Schröder-Abé, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Bern (CH)
- University of Münster (DE)
- University of Potsdam (DE)
- Helios Kliniken (DE)
- University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Corresponding author
- Morf, Carolyn C.
- Venue
- Assessment
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-02-12
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 419-443
- ISSN
- 1073-1911 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-3489
- OpenAlex
- W2333584657
- Cited by
- 103
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 13.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Assessment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BORIS (University Library Bern) (submittedVersion)
- publish.UP (University of Potsdam) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Swiss National Science Foundation (100014-130116)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (BA 3731/6-1)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- Pathological Narcissism Inventory, pathological narcissism, grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, German translation, psychometric validation, factor structure, second-order structure, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, Narcissistic Personality Inventory, personality traits, well-being, interpersonal behavior
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Germany, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Narcissism, Personality Inventory, Psychometrics, Translating, Principal Component Analysis, Young Adult
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