Attachment, perceived parental trust and grandiose narcissism: Moderated mediation models

The present article explored the effect of attachment on grandiose narcissism via perceived parental trust through a cross-sectional investigation using moderated mediation models. The Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory, Perceived Parental Trust Questionnaire, and Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire were administered to 2260 middle school students of China (1094 seventh and 1166 tenth grade students). Results indicated that attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety exert distinct influence on narcissism's self-enhancement (i.e., admiration) directly, while both attachment anxiety and avoidance foster self-protection (i.e., rivalry) directly. Furthermore, the strength of the indirect effect of one attachment dimension on narcissism via perceived parental trust is stronger when the other is lower, or when the grade is younger.