The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in the relationship of Self-Esteem, Emotional Maturity, and Behavioral Patterns with Couples' Narcissism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.A. Student, Department of Positive Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Naeen Branch, Naeen, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Naeen Branch, Naeen, Iran. (Corresponding Author)

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship of self-esteem, emotional maturity, and behavioral patterns with couples' narcissism in a non-experimental, correlational way. The population included couples living in the city of Isfahan, and 200 couples (200 women and 200 men) living together were selected by the convenience sampling. The data were collected using Emotional Maturity Scale (EMS), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Eysenck's Self-esteem Inventory (ESI), Ruskin et al.'s Personality Inventory of Iranian Couple (NPI-IC), and a researcher-made questionnaire of couple behavior patterns. Analyzing the proposed pattern was done by path analysis using AMOS software. The results of this study showed that the direct path of self-esteem to narcissism is not significant, the direct path of emotional maturity and couple behavior patterns (symmetrical, complementary, and positive) to narcissism is significant, the direct path of self-compassion to narcissism is significant, and the indirect path of self-esteem, emotional maturity, and symmetrical, complementary and positive behavioral patterns to narcissism through self-compassion is significant. On this basis, couples' narcissism is affected by self-esteem, emotional maturity, and behavioral patterns, as well as the mediating role of self-compassion. These results can be used in the design of compassion intervention for couples' narcissism.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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