The relationships between narcissistic admiration, rivalry, and interpersonal trust in adolescents: The mediating effect of ostracism experience

Abstract Adolescent narcissism is an important issue in youth development. This study adopted a semi-longitudinal design with six-month interval to investigate the mediating effect of ostracism experience on the relationship between grandiose narcissism and interpersonal trust within the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept (NARC) model. The NARC model differentiates two facets of grandiose narcissism: narcissistic admiration and rivalry according to their distinct social strategies of maintaining a grandiose self-view. The sample consisted of 364 high school students with an average age of 16.33 years old (SD = 0.41, range = 15.50–18.58). Results showed that narcissistic admiration was positively related to interpersonal trust while narcissistic rivalry was negatively associated with interpersonal trust. Furthermore, narcissistic admiration negatively linked to ignored and exclusion, which in turn were negatively related to interpersonal trust. On the contrary, narcissistic rivalry was positively associated with ignored (not exclusion), which was further negatively related to interpersonal trust. These results support the NARC model and provide an available perspective to improve adolescents’ interpersonal relationships and mental health. Educators and parents should pay more attention to adolescents high in narcissistic rivalry and help them adjust their negative cognitive styles so as to guarantee their healthy development.