The purpose of the present study was to identify factors comprising the covert features (Akhtar & Thomson,1982) of traits associated with narcissistic personality, and to examine relations among these factors, parental attitudes, and social comparison orientation.
Three kinds of questionnaires were administered to 205 university students.
The major results were as follows: 1. The covert features of narcissistic personality traits consisted of three factors, specifically, a sense of worthlessness, an inordinate sensitivity, and a need for admiration. 2. Negative parental attitudes affected the social comparison orientation by increasing inordinate sensitivity and a need for admiration. 3. Though negative parental attitudes affected the sense of worthlessness, the sense of worthlessness did not affect the social comparison orientation.
Findings were discussed in the context of cultural-social characteristics of Japanese and interpersonal relationships.