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Psychophysiological correlates of narcissistic traits in women during active coping

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2002

ROBERT M. KELSEY
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
SIDNEY R. ORNDUFF
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
SARAH REIFF
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
CARLOTTA M. ARTHUR
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Abstract

Two dimensions of narcissism were related to psychophysiological responses to stress in 50 young women. Cardiovascular, electrodermal, task performance, and stress appraisal measures were recorded during rest, mental arithmetic, and a computerized Thematic Apperception Test (Murray, 1943). The Egocentricity and Alienation scales of the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (Bell, 1995) served as measures of overt/inflated and covert/deflated narcissism. Egocentricity correlated consistently with heightened preejection period reactivity, whereas Alienation correlated consistently with diminished electrodermal reactivity (all p < .05). Multivariate analyses supported specific relationships between Egocentricity and preejection period hyperreactivity, and between Alienation and electrodermal hyporeactivity. These results have implications for narcissism, cardiovascular disease risk, and a variety of psychiatric disorders.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 Society for Psychophysiological Research

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