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Title NARCISSISM AND SELF-ENHANCEMENT AMONG ADULTS: ROLE OF SELFCOMPASSION, COUNTERFACTUAL THINKING, AND DELAYED DISCOUNTING

Author(s) Moneeba Bukhari

Abstract Grandiose narcissistic traits refer to exploitative and arrogant attitudes, often leading to poor interpersonal relationships and destructive behaviors. However, little is known about the relationship of narcissism with self-enhancement, which is narcissistic self-enhancement that extends beyond normal positive self-regard; delayed discounting, the tendency to devalue future rewards in favor of immediate gratification; counterfactual thinking, the mental process of imagining alternative outcomes to past events; and self-compassion, defined as kindness toward oneself in times of failure or distress. This study aimed to explore these associations and was conducted in two phases. Phase one, the pilot study, was conducted to estimate the usefulness and suitability of scales in the Pakistani context. Phase two, the main study, examined the relationships among these variables. Data were collected through convenience sampling from 745 participants aged 19–60 years. Results revealed that narcissism was positively correlated with self-enhancement, delayed discounting, and downward counteractual thinking. Sequential mediation analysis indicated that delayed discounting and downward counterfactual thinking mediated the relationship between narcissism and self-enhancement. Moderation analysis further showed that self-compassion strengthened the link between narcissism and delayed discounting, suggesting that individuals with higher self-compassion were more likely to engage in impulsive decision-making despite their narcissistic tendencies. In contrast, as age increased, the associations between narcissism and delayed discounting, delayed discounting and counterfactual thinking, counterfactual thinking and self-enhancement, and narcissism and self-enhancement weakened, indicating a buffering effect of age.

Type Thesis/Dissertation MS

Faculty Social Sciences

Department Psychology

Language English

Publication Date 2025-06-11

Subject Psychology

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