Portrait of the self-enhancer: well adjusted and well liked or maladjusted and friendless?

Full Abstract

Research has variously portrayed self-enhancement as an indicator of narcissistic defensiveness or as a concomitant of mental health. To address this controversy, the present study used multiple measures of self-enhancement along with multiple measures and judges of mental health, comprehensively assessing their relationship. The results indicated that self-enhancement is positively associated with multiple indicators of mental health and with a more favorable impact on others. Discussion centers on a reconciliation of discrepant portraits of the self-enhancer.

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Author information

Author/s: Taylor, Shelley E (SE); Lerner, Jennifer S (JS); Sherman, David K (DK); Sage, Rebecca M (RM); McDowell, Nina K (NK);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024, USA. taylors(-atsign-)psych.ucla.edu

Grants: MH056880 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; MH62376 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; NIMH 15750 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of personality and social psychology (J Pers Soc Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jan; vol 84 (issue 1) : pp 165-76

Dates: Created 2003/01/09; Completed 2003/04/22; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12518977, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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