Pathological narcissism, brain behavioral systems and tendency to substance abuse: The mediating role of self-control

•Pathological narcissism, BAS and substance abuse were positively correlated.•BIS, self-control and substance abuse were negatively correlated.•Pathological narcissism and BAS predicted substance abuse through self-control.

This study examined the direct and indirect relationships between pathological narcissism, behavioral activation/inhibition systems (BAS/BIS), self-control, and substance abuse in a sample of Iranian students. Results showed that there are positive relationships between pathological narcissism and BAS with substance abuse and negative relationships between BIS and self-control with substance abuse. We tested, using structural equation model, whether pathological narcissism, BAS, and BIS predict substance abuse through self-control. Results confirmed the mediating role of self-control in the relations of pathological narcissism and BAS, but not BIS to substance abuse.