The Mediating Role of Autobiographical Memory in the Relationship Between Narcissism and Rejection Sensitivity.

Both grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic individuals perceive a threat to the self when they face real or imaginary rejection. The sensitivity to rejection may affect them differently. Thus, this research examines the role of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in the retrieval of self-threatening memories. The study aims to test the mediating role of autobiographical memory (AM) in the relationship between rejection sensitivity (RS) and two dimensions of narcissism. A total of 369 university students (ages between 18 and 32) participated in the study. The Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire was applied to the participants, triggering the memory of positive and negative autobiographical rejection. Then, the Autobiographical Memory Characteristics Questionnaire and the Pathological Narcissism Inventory were applied. The results showed that the autobiographical memory characteristics differ depending on the dimension of narcissism when they face rejection. This changes depending on having positive or negative content as well as recalling the sensory details especially emotional characteristics of the AM. The use of AM as a mediator in the relationship between narcissism and rejection sensitivity has provided a viewpoint beyond experimental and relational studies. The results have shed light on the role of narcissism and RS in the processing of autobiographical memories.

The Effects of Polymer Coating of Gold Nanoparticles on Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely used in many biological and biomedical applications. In this regard, their surface modification is of paramount importance in order to increase their cellular uptake, delivery capability, and optimize their distribution inside the body. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of AuNPs on cytotoxicity, oxidant/antioxidant parameters, and DNA damage in HepG2 cells and investigate the potential toxic effects of different surface modifications such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyethyleneimine (PEI; molecular weights of 2,000 (low molecular weight [LMW]) and 25,000 (high molecular weight [HMW]). The study groups were determined as AuNPs, PEG-coated AuNPs (AuNPs/PEG), low-molecular weight polyethyleneimine-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/PEI LMW), and high-molecular weight polyethyleneimine-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/PEI HMW). After incubating HepG2 cells with different concentrations of nanoparticles for 24 hours, half maximal inhibitory concentrations (the concentration that kills 50% of the cells) were determined as 166.77, 257.73, and 198.44 µg/mL for AuNPs, AuNPs/PEG, and AuNPs/PEI LMW groups, respectively. Later, inhibitory concentration 30 (IC30, the concentration that kills 30% of the cells) doses were calculated, and further experiments were performed on cells that were exposed to IC30 doses. Although intracellular reactive oxygen species levels significantly increased in all nanoparticles, AuNPs as well as AuNPs/PEG did not cause any changes in oxidant/antioxidant parameters. However, AuNPs/PEI HMW particularly induced oxidative stress as evidence of alterations in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. These results suggest that at IC30 doses, AuNPs do not affect oxidative stress and DNA damage significantly. Polyethylene glycol coating does not have an impact on toxicity, however PEI coating (particularly HMW) can induce oxidative stress.

[The Standardization of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory inthe Turkish Language and Testing Its Validity and Reliability]. / Patolojik Narsisizm Envanterinin Türkçe Standardizasyonu,Geçerlik ve Güvenirliginin Sinanmasi.

OBJECTIVE: Despite its importance as a psychological construct, narcissism have been inconsistently defined and measured across studies. Overly narrow construct definition of pathological narcissism and insufficient measurement lead Pincus et al. (2009) to develop Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI). Which is a multidimensional measure of pathological narcissism that assesses both overt and covert expressions of narcissistic vulnerability. The aim of this study was to adapt PNI into Turkish language and investigate the validity and reliability indicators. METHOD: The Turkish version of Pathological Narcissism Inventory was applied to 518 (205 male) university students. Cronbach alpha and test-retest reliability coefficients were calculated. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyzes have been carried out to determine the factors. The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and the Bell Object Relations and Reality Assessment Scale (BORRTI) object relational form were used for evaluation of validity. RESULTS: The Cronbach alpha is .93 for the total score, and test-retest reliability is r= .91. The principal components analysis revealed 6 factors explaining 50.24% of the variance. According to the structural equality model, fit indices indicate valid and reliable models. Analyses revealed significant correlation coefficients with NPI and BORRTI. CONCLUSION: The validity and reliability indicators of PNE Turkish form were within an acceptable range and PNE can be used for further studies.

The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support in the Relationships Between General Causality Orientations and Locus of Control With Psychopathological Symptoms.

The main aim of this study is to investigate the mediator role of perceived social support in the relationship between general causality orientations and locus of control with psychopathological symptoms. Total 751 participants were consisted of 558 female ages between 17 and 36 (Female M = 19.03, SD = 0.09) (74.3%), 192 male ages between 17 and 37 (Male M = 20.71, SD = 0.17) (25.6%) and a participant who did not provide any gender information. We used the General Causality Orientations Scale (GCOS) and Locus of Control Scale (LOCS) in order to understand the basic motivation for the emergence of behavior. Beck depression Inventory (BDI) used to evaluate the psychological symptoms for depression, Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) for obsessive-compulsive symptomology and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) for overall psychological distress and finally to evaluate mediating role of social support used the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS). According to the results, having internal locus of control and autonomy orientation have shown positive effect to statistically significant predictors for psychological symptomology, having external locus of control and impersonal orientation have shown negative effect. Perceived social support was found to be suited for the role of partial mediator, and social support from friends was found to have more positive roles than social support from family. In conclusion, exceedingly considerable to conduct further research in order to contribute to the understanding of the mediating role of general causality orientations and locus of control with psychopathology symptomology.