Identification of the Core Characteristics of Vulnerable/Hypersensitive Narcissism and its Association with the Dark Triad in a Large International Sample: A Network Analysis Study.

The current paper aimed to investigate the network structure and centrality indexes of hypersensitive narcissism using the hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSN). Additionally, we aimed to explore its relationships with dark triad personality aspects. A globally diverse sample of "53,981" participants (47.9% non-United States responders) completed the HSN and Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale (DTD). We estimated the network structure across genders to determine the core characteristics of hypersensitive narcissism. Additionally, bridge and central nodes (characteristics) were identified. All analyses were performed using R-Studio programming software. The network comparison test indicated significant differences in the network structures between males and females (Network-Invariance: 0.0489, P < 0.01; Global Strength Invariance: 0.101, P < 0.01). In the network of HSN for male participants, characteristics with the highest strength centrality were "Highly affected by criticism" (HSN.2, strength = 1.08) and "Self-absorbed in personal pursuits" (HSN.8, strength = 1.28). For female participants, "Self-absorbed in personal pursuits" (HSN.8, strength = 1.32) and "privately annoyed by others' needs" (HSN.10, strength = 1.21) were the highest central characteristics. The assessment of bridge strength indicated that nodes HSN.2 (Highly sensitive to criticism), scoring 0.42, and DTD.1 (Tendency to manipulate for gain, a component of Machiavellianism), scoring 0.428, showed the highest bridge strength values. The current study identified core characteristics of hypersensitive narcissism and its correlation with dark triad personality, revealing gender-specific patterns and bridging symptoms between the two constructs. These findings showed that focusing on these core characteristics may be advantageous in treating individuals exhibiting elevated levels of narcissism.

The mediating role of psychological well-being in the relationship between the light triad of personality and sense of concordance with treatment adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes: A network analysis and structural equation modeling study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the intricate relationship among treatment adherence, the light triad of personality, self-coherence, and psychological well-being in individuals diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to elucidate the direct and mediated pathways linking these variables, while network analysis sought to identify and characterize the underlying factors of the light triad of personality within the context of T2DM management. METHOD: A path analysis-network analysis study using convenience sampling was conducted, recruiting 412 T2DM patients from ten private practices and general hospitals in Gilan province, Iran. Data collection utilized Antonovsky's Self of Coherence scale (SOC), The Light Triad Rating Scale, and The Reef's Psychological Well-being Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling assessed model fitness and determined direct and indirect links between variables. Analysis was conducted using R-Studio software (Version 4.2.1), SPSS (V.26), and AMOS software (V.24). RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis and network analysis confirmed the three-factor structure of the Light Triad of Personality scale. Direct impacts of Light Triad of Personality (ß = 0.34, p < .001) and self-coherence (ß = 0.32, p < .001) on treatment adherence were observed. Psychological well-being played an indirect role in this relationship, with significant effects from Light Triad of Personality (ß = 0.25, p < .001) and self-coherence (ß = 0.08, p < .001) on treatment adherence. Bootstrapped exploratory graph analysis revealed an average of 3 dimensions within the network, indicating community structures. CONCLUSION: SEM analysis demonstrated good model fit, suggesting the importance of designing interventional programs incorporating self-coherence and psychological well-being frameworks to enhance treatment adherence in T2DM patients.

Shame, fear of compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance mediate the effect of early life events on emotional disorders among male prisoners: A structural equation modeling analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early negative experiences in childhood are potent predictors of criminal behavior in youth and adulthood. This study aimed to identify the mediation effects of Shame, Fear of Compassion, Self-criticism, and Self-reassurance on the effect of Early Life Events on Emotional Disorders. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 male prisoners (Mean age: 33.26 ± 8.41 years) with convenient sampling method, from Ilam, Iran. A set of self-reported instruments were used for data collection. The ultimate model was constructed using structural equation modeling after confirming the construct validity of the measures via confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Shame, fear of compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance significantly mediated the relationship between Early Life Events and emotional disorders. The mediating effect accounted for 77 % of the total effect in the mediating model. According to Pearson's correlation, a positive and significant relationship existed between early life events and self-criticism, shame, fear of compassion and emotional disorders (P < .001). In conclusion, the presented model has an appropriate and acceptable fit, as evidenced by the results of the chi-square test (χ2 = 48.067, p < .001) and other relevant fit indices. However, self-reassurance's mediating role was insignificant (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The present results showed that shame, fear of compassion, and self-criticism are important mediators in the relationship between early life events and emotional disorders among male prisoners. So, it is necessary to develop related protocols to increase the mental health of prisoners.

Evaluation of the psychometric indicators of the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory in Iranian adults.

BACKGROUND: The DSM-5's Comprehensive Autism Traits Inventory (CATI) was a useful diagnostic tool for the general population because it covered all the critical aspects of autism. However, its reliability and validity in the overall Iranian population still need to be investigated. PURPOSE: We reviewed the inventory and estimated the validity and reliability of the Iranian version of CATI among 1800 adults. METHODS: The Persian version of CATI (CATI-I) was administered to 1800 Iranian adults using the online Star Questionnaire system. Internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and measurement invariance across genders were calculated. RESULTS: The Correlated social & non-social bifactor model showed the best fit in the Iranian community (CFI=.966; TLI=.947; RMSEA=.045; SRMR=.028). Ultimately, the CATI-I scale in the Iranian community consisted of 39 items across six factors and two higher-order constructs. Additionally, the CATI-I scale's convergent validity and reliability values were acceptable. CONCLUSION: The CATI-I demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity in measuring autism traits. It is an appropriate model for the second-order social and non-social factors, and it also shows measurement invariance across genders.

Structural equation modeling to estimate treatment adherence based on the light triad of personality and sense of coherence in patients with type-2 diabetes: examining the mediating role of psychological well-being.

Background: The current study investigated the relationship between the light triad of personality and self-coherence with treatment adherence in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Psychological well-being was considered a mediator variable in this SEM assessment. Method: A cross-sectional study by convenience sampling was conducted, and 368 patients with T2DM were recruited from 10 private practice and general hospitals from May to November 2021 in Gilan province, Iran. The Reef's Psychological Well-being Questionnaire, the Light Triad Rating Scale, and Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Scale were used for data collection. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the model fitness and identify direct/indirect relationships among variables. Data were analyzed by the SPSS (Version 26) and AMOS software (Version 24). Results: The average score of light triads, sense of coherence, psychological well-being, and treatment adherence were 70.36 ± 25.55, 108.25 ± 37.68, 57.03 ± 23.84, and 106.81 ± 39.61, respectively. Model fit statistics suggest that the measurement model fits the data well: χ2 (146, N = 368) = 314.011 (p < 0.001). The SEM results showed that the light triad of personality (ß = 0.12) and self-coherence (ß = 0.14) were positively associated with treatment adherence. Anxiety, the light triad of personality (ß = 0.12), and self-coherence (ß = 0.14) affect treatment adherence indirectly through psychological well-being. Conclusion: The analysis of the SEM revealed that the suggested model had a suitable goodness of fit. So, using self-coherence and psychological well-being structures in designing interventional programs is recommended to optimize treatment adherence in patients with T2DM.

The relationship between perceived stress and pregnancy distress with self-care of pregnant women: The mediating role of social support-A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Pregnancy is a stressful experience, which can affect different aspects of a woman's life. Yet, women with a supportive network of friends and family may experience lower stress and improved self-care behavior. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress and pregnancy distress with the self-care of pregnant women, as well as the mediating role of social support. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2022 in Babol, Iran. A total of 157 pregnant women participated in the study. The participants completed five questionnaires, including a demographic and obstetric questionnaire, a Self-care questionnaire, Perceived Social support (PSS), Perceived Stress Inventory (PSI), and Pregnancy Specific Distress. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis relationships among the variables. Results: We found that Perceived stress (ß = -0.221, p = 0.012ß) and pregnancy distress (ß = -0.203, p = 0.002ß) had a negative and significant effect on the self-care of pregnant women. Also, perceived stress (ß = -0.429, p < 0.001ß) and pregnancy distress (ß = -0.381, p < 0.001ß) had a negative and significant effect on the social support of pregnant women. The results exhibited a significant specific indirect effect between pregnancy distress, perceived stress, and pregnancy self-care, with social support as the mediator: standardized indirect effect = -0.068, -0.076, respectively. Conclusion: According to the findings, social support plays a direct and mediating role in improving self-care behaviors among pregnant women. Therefore, providing strategies and measures to improve perceived social support by maternal health professionals may be expected to reduce the impact of stress on pregnant women's self-care. The implementation of policies and social interventions to improve the social support of pregnant women can be one of the applications of the findings.