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Zahra Karimi 
, Elnaz Seyyedbaglou , Darya Khoshkalamian , Hossein Fayazmanesh , Fatemeh Mirzai , Amirmahdi Amraei *
, Elnaz Seyyedbaglou , Darya Khoshkalamian , Hossein Fayazmanesh , Fatemeh Mirzai , Amirmahdi Amraei *
Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. , Amirmahdi.amraei@gmail.com
Abstract: (319 Views)
Background: Overt and covert aggression are among the leading factors destabilizing marital relationships, and narcissistic traits heighten the likelihood of both forms of aggression between spouses. Empathy, as an inhibitory skill, can moderate or mediate the pathway from narcissism to aggression; however, few studies have simultaneously examined both types of aggression alongside the mediating role of empathy in married couples.
Aims: The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between narcissism and overt and covert aggression among married individuals.
Methods: This correlational, path-analytic study included all married residents of Tehran during the first quarter of 2025 (March–June 2025). A convenience sample of 379 participants completed the Overt–Covert Aggression Inventory (Miyazaki et al., 2003), the short form of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (Sherman et al., 2015), and the Basic Empathy Scale (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and structural equation modeling in SPSS 27 and AMOS 24.
Results: The indirect effect of grandiose narcissism on overt aggression through cognitive empathy (β = 0.399) and on covert aggression (β = 0.276) was significant. Likewise, the indirect effect of vulnerable narcissism on overt aggression (β = 0.027) and covert aggression (β = 0.019) through cognitive empathy was significant. The mediating role of affective empathy was also confirmed: grandiose narcissism had significant indirect effects on overt (β = 0.100) and covert aggression (β = 0.128), and vulnerable narcissism showed indirect effects on overt (β = 0.008) and covert aggression (β = 0.011).
Conclusion:Overall, the findings suggest that narcissism may contribute to both overt and covert forms of aggressive behavior in marital relationships through reducing empathy. Enhancing empathy-related skills may therefore play an important role in reducing marital conflicts and improving relationship quality.
Aims: The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between narcissism and overt and covert aggression among married individuals.
Methods: This correlational, path-analytic study included all married residents of Tehran during the first quarter of 2025 (March–June 2025). A convenience sample of 379 participants completed the Overt–Covert Aggression Inventory (Miyazaki et al., 2003), the short form of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (Sherman et al., 2015), and the Basic Empathy Scale (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and structural equation modeling in SPSS 27 and AMOS 24.
Results: The indirect effect of grandiose narcissism on overt aggression through cognitive empathy (β = 0.399) and on covert aggression (β = 0.276) was significant. Likewise, the indirect effect of vulnerable narcissism on overt aggression (β = 0.027) and covert aggression (β = 0.019) through cognitive empathy was significant. The mediating role of affective empathy was also confirmed: grandiose narcissism had significant indirect effects on overt (β = 0.100) and covert aggression (β = 0.128), and vulnerable narcissism showed indirect effects on overt (β = 0.008) and covert aggression (β = 0.011).
Conclusion:Overall, the findings suggest that narcissism may contribute to both overt and covert forms of aggressive behavior in marital relationships through reducing empathy. Enhancing empathy-related skills may therefore play an important role in reducing marital conflicts and improving relationship quality.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/09/26 | Accepted: 2025/11/22 | Published: 2026/03/21
Received: 2025/09/26 | Accepted: 2025/11/22 | Published: 2026/03/21
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This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)