Has there been a recent increase in adolescent narcissism? Evidence from a sample of at-risk adolescents (2005-2014)

The present study examined the level of overall self-reported narcissism in cohorts of 16-19 year olds (N = 2696; 2272 males) attending the same 22-week residential program from 2005 to 2014. Fourteen cohorts completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory for Children (NPIC; Barry, Frick, & Killian, 2003), and 10 of these cohorts completed the Narcissism Scale of the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD; Frick & Hare, 2001). Two approaches to analyze scores in relation to year of data collection were employed. There were no significant changes in narcissism from either measure across the study time period. The implications of these findings for considering current generational trends in narcissism and the need for further research on developmental influences of narcissism are discussed.