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THE PSYCHOMETRIC QUALITIES OF A NARCISSISTIC INVENTORY DESIGNED FOR HR SCREENING

Violeta Rotarescu

Abstract

This study aimed the construction of an elaborated inventory regarding the tendency for Narcissistic aspects of the personality, designed for the organizational purposes. The need for these inventories is emphasized by recent studies showing the increase of the number of negative consequences of Narcissistic dimension on subordinates. We used a multi-step approach: documentation (DSM 5, personality disorders papers and books, papers regarding the Narcissistic behavior in organizations and its effect etc), the construction of the raw items list, refinement of the items (N=57), applying the inventory to employees (N = 267, age between 19 and 67, m = 37.3 yo, snowball method). Data collected (C alpha .82) were analyzed via exploratory factorial analysis (maximum likelihood extraction, varimax rotation) show the grouping of the variables in three main factors: Tendency toward dominance (34%), Lack of empathy (22%), and Selfish behavior (10.1%), all three explaining 66.1% of the model. For the construct validity of the inventory we used NPI (Narcissistic Personality Inventory, Raskin & Terry, 1988; for the present sample C alpha = .88) and Narcissistic Scale from TLS (Toxic Leadership Scale – Popa et al., 2013; for the present sample C alpha = .91). Results show a good construct validity with NPI (.84, r =.74) and Narcissistic Scale from TLS (.83, r=.71). For the final version (based on these data), the inventory will consist of the best 42 items (C alpha = .92). The final version of the inventory will be used in recruitment process, for the screening of the tendencies toward developing a pattern of behavior, considered counter-effective in certain types of organizations, also in predictive studies regarding positive and negative leadership.

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