A Research Of Narcissism Behavior In Pharmacy Students

Chapter One: Introduction

Narcissism is self-love or praise of oneself and one's traits or features. It is simply the center regard, influences and connections. Ordinary narcissism includes solid, stable confidence and positive self-respect. It is established in a wisdom of activity, comprehensive knowledge, and internal control of opinions, spirits, activities and instincts. [1].

Overview

In other word, it is a self-care of one’s mind. Narcissism is reported as it happen daily, and every person is to certain degree narcissistic. Actually, this type of narcissistic habits are obligatory. It gives to an optimistic sense of worth, constancy and a wisdom of harmony [2].

Evolution of narcissism

The investigation of narcissism has an elongated and storied convention following back to the late 1800s and it has accumulated the consideration of superior identity and scholars including Freud and progressively present day generations. Regardless of this long history, narcissism didn’t appear publicly as a mental illness until it mentioned in the DSM-III [3]. It is significantly sarcastic that the idea of narcissism has been gain considerable attention from mass media and has took the community's mind over the previous few years. This type of focus would form Narcissus, the term narcissism is derived from the subject of Greek legend [4].

Prevalence

An ongoing National Institute of Health education announced the prevalence rate of 6. 2% for narcissistic personality issue. Furthermore, this examination found that more youthful individuals were bound to encounter NPD than aged people [5]. Narcissists remark themselves as superior than normal person on following qualities as rational skills, sociability but not on these qualities as friendliness, morality [6]. Narcissism is meaningfully correlate with companionship and control so, it inversely linked with the need for companionship and positively linked with the need for control [7].

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

When narcissism is expressed in an extreme, it explain a psychological personality disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder. But when narcissism is expressed in moderate way, then the behavior of oneself can be seen narcissism as a personality trait [8]. It has been proof that there are two distinctive traits of narcissism, which are called as grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Even if persons high on any of following traits interrelate with others in contrasting way, they vary on other chief concepts, for example sociability [9]. The person in narcissism share following extrinsic values as reputation, rank, and attitude [10].

Narcissism is categorized by an optimistic and magnified view of the self, particularly on these qualities (e. g. , control, rank, physical appearance). It is linked with social extraversion, while narcissists have comparatively minute concern in making sincere, warmly close connections with others. It involves in extensive range of self-regulation struggles, focus to attractive the self. These determinations can range from care pursuing and attractive praise from others to pursuing high-class idealistic followers and chances to attain public wonder. Those narcissists also hit with anger when they are disallowed or disrespected[11].

Rise of narcissism

Among undergraduates, since the 1970s the level of narcissism have progressively increased. [12]. It has a distinctive influence on undergraduate students. Narcissistic students are in risk to academic failure. There are some aspects of the NPD which make the students unaware for their upcoming time as overrated presentation, absence of delay of satisfaction, absence of guidance seeking, and negative responses to hindrances. [13].

Researchers have found that narcissistic personality traits in the general population of adolescents and young adults are on the rise. A cross-temporal meta-analysis was conducted revealed that over the course of 24 years, narcissism trait scores of college students rose steadily[14]. Thus, current research points to a rise in both clinical and subclinical personality traits of narcissism.

Narcissism and generation

Although, over the years, researchers have offered a myriad of explanations for the difference in numbers between the younger and older generations, [12] it was noted that the number of young individuals with elevated narcissistic traits in the general population is on the rise. This change was attributed to the advent of self-focused media (e. g. , Facebook and Twitter) and changing parenting styles that focus on children’s self-esteem rather than achievement among other factors [15].

Similarly, it was identified an increased focus on children’s self-esteem in schools, changes in parenting styles focusing on self-esteem, the availability of Facebook and Twitter, increases in materialism, and even reality television as contributing factors in the increased prevalence of subclinical narcissism in youth [16].

Traits of narcissism

Traits associated with narcissism, including self-esteem, assertiveness, and extraversion, have been investigated to determine if they have increased over time as well. Since the 1970s,

Although the focus on the self was encouraged to promote individual health and wellness, self-esteem has been shown to be highly correlated with narcissism [17]. It also purported that children who are considered “special” without true achievement of developmental milestones develop an inflated 4 sense of self and portray entitlement to recapture their feeling of being special [18].

Subclinical narcissism

The characteristics of subclinical narcissism can also be associated with more commonly considered maladaptive personality traits, such as entitlement, grandiosity, and materialism [19].

Entitlement constitutes a key aspect of a narcissistic individual, as it is one of the diagnostic criteria used to diagnose NPD and included in the leading measure of subclinical narcissism, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory [20]. Entitlement may lead to increased aggression, when an individual with elevated narcissistic traits is challenged [21], as well as an unjustified expectation of success or reward.

Furthermore, grandiosity is an underlying trait of narcissism, which is thought to fuel the unrealistic entitlement that many subclinical narcissists experience. Again, grandiosity is measured on the NPI [20]. while also being a key component to diagnosing NPD in the DSM-5 (2013) 5th ed. Similarly, materialism has shown a steady rise in the same population as subclinical narcissism over a comparable time period [22]. A survey indicated that 18- to 25-year-olds endorsed “getting rich” as one of their important goals 81% of the time with 64% stating it as their most important goal [23]. Moreover, it was found that 74% of college freshmen chose “being very well-off financially” as an important life goal as compared to only 45% in 1967 [24].

Narcissism in college students

With the boom of narcissistic personality trends such as entitlement, grandiosity, and materialism in younger populations leading to improved expectations of fulfillment, how may these tendencies affect these individuals in an educational putting? College students showing improved narcissistic trends will lack empathy, sell competition, have terrible interpersonal competencies and display arrogant behaviors to be able to corrode the point of interest on cooperative and crew-targeted mastering strategies which can be typically used in school rooms [25].

Additionally, these individuals will externalize their problems and have poor skills to deal with constructive criticism, further hindering cooperation and rapport with classmates and teachers [26]. Most notably, suggested that individuals possessing elevated subclinical narcissistic traits may have trouble engaging in the learning process due to their need to maintain an image of superiority; having difficulty acknowledging that others may know more than themselves. It was also noted that many high school and college students were overconfident and overestimated their abilities to succeed, attitudes that can lead to increased anxiety and greater failure [27].

Furthermore, it was explained that the increase of entitlement in classrooms would lead to frustration from the student and teacher as students would expect higher grades for effort, rather than strong performance, or because they “deserve the best. ” Overall, the research suggests that the education of an increasingly narcissistic population will pose greater difficulties to educators [28]. Thus, the importance of understanding the personality of elevated subclinical narcissistic traits in students and their reactions to success and failure is integral to developing educational plans to manage these students and help them to succeed [29].

Rationale of study

The objective of this study is to check the rate of narcissism among pharmacy students and investigate the effect of narcissism on their academic performance.

The main goal of research is to find quantitative data of narcissistic behavior of pharmacy students.

Scientific justification

This study is conducted on pharmacy students to perceive their narcissistic behavior which is not much research in Pakistan specifically in Lahore.

Different studies was conducted on narcissism and their characteristics in different countries but the prevalence of narcissism is not investigated among pharmacy students.

Aim of study

• To investigate that how many pharmacy students have narcissism behavior.
• To study the effects of narcissistic behavior among pharmacy students.
• To observe the effect of narcissistic behavior on their academic performance.

Chapter Two: Literature Review

The have a look at of narcissism first arose in 1898 whilst Havelock Ellis introduced the time period narcissus-like to explain immoderate self-admiration. Traditionally, narcissism has been studied and defined in psychodynamic literature, even influencing Freud’s structural model of the id, ego and superego. He evolved a dichotomy of narcissism that included a meta-psychological and a clinical conceptualization of narcissism. The meta-psychological narcissism, as described by way of Freud, changed into the energy to increase the ego, relations to the surroundings that lack interpersonal contact, and as the primary for the improvement and renovation of self-esteem. Contrastingly, Freud’s scientific narcissism encompassed attitudes and behaviors, which includes self-love, self-aggrandizement and self-admiration, fears and vulnerabilities towards one’s vanity, idealization, denial, splitting, and motivation for the need to be loved and best[5].

The research of Lynne Carroll (1987) examined the intercorrelations of rankings on narcissism and the reasons for association, intimacy, and power. Sixty five college students in a master's application for commercial enterprise management were given the narcissistic personality stock and the thematic apperception take a look at. A massive distinction in narcissism changed into determined among ladies and men. Women and men additionally were significantly unique on the want for intimacy. Narcissism became extensively and negatively correlated with the want for intimacy and substantially and definitely correlated with the need for authority [7].

JM Twenge (2008) was conducted research on more indication of rise in narcissism among college Pupils. This research become aimed to analyze the relationship among narcissism, self-esteem and aggression. Pearson correlation suggests that narcissism is undoubtedly related to aggression. Full-size gender variations are determined in narcissism, as men scored considerably excessive than girls [14].

JZ Bergman (2010) was conducted research on narcissism in management education. According to that study Narcissism ranges in U. S. College students have progressively risen over the past 25 years and those will increase may be even greater said among business college students in assessment with those in other disciplines this growth in narcissism has implications for each pupil classroom conduct and the manner in which we, as school, successfully educate and control our lecture rooms. We explore the character trait of narcissism, its ability manifestations within the study room, and offer guidelines for control educators in handling more narcissistic students [25].

JM Twenge (2010) was conducted study on birth cohort rises in narcissistic personality behaviors among American college Undergraduates and preceding studies produced conflicting effects on whether narcissistic personality trends have improved among American College students over the generations. Confounding by means of campus may give an explanation for the discrepancy. Each studies show huge increases in narcissism over time. A meta-analysis and inside-campus analyses all display will increase in narcissistic tendencies amongst university students over the generations. Once the effect of confounding by means of campus is removed, the college student information from all assets show an increase in NPI ratings [30].

Panthic (2017) was examined the existence and strength of courting between net dependency, self-esteem and narcissism in a students and also investigated social networking activities, inclusive of number of self-portrait photographs (“selfies”), and their capacity reference to shallowness and narcissism. Net addiction expanded as shallowness reduced and vice versa. On the other hand, there has been a high-quality correlation between net dependency and narcissism. NPI rating and number of self-portrait pics (selfies) on Facebook have been also in an advantageous courting. Conversely, NPI score improved because the shallowness reduced. The effects of examine are according with our previous findings on net use and mental fitness, confirming that internet addiction is a probably a serious public health trouble [31].

Aisha Qadir (2019) was conducted study on rate of narcissism in youths of Karachi.

The aim of this examine is to assess the superiority of narcissistic tendencies inside the widespread adolescents population. The narcissistic personality stock (NPI-40) based totally on DSM-III standards become used to discover the prevalence of narcissism in take a look at institution. The result confirmed high ratings of NPI in young people, scored >20 numbers in NPI. But NPI can simplest display relative concept of the frequency of narcissism, by means of scoring high in NPI it couldn't say truly that man or woman lie in category of narcissistic so there's necessitate to greater paintings must be done in this least studied subject matter to assess the real picture of narcissistic behavior in populace [32].

BM Smith (1990) was conducted research on the size of narcissism in Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic American females and this have a look at in comparison rankings on the 40-object narcissistic character stock for Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic American college girls. Asian American women had significantly lower narcissism scores than Caucasian American girls and additionally scored notably decrease on four of the seven aspect scales. Hispanic and Caucasian girls had similar ratings on narcissism. These consequences may be primarily based on an ethnic response set and/or the effect of cultural values found in many traditional Asian cultures that are seemingly antithetical to narcissism and include modesty, appreciate for authority, and the valuing of relationships over individualism. The significance of along with ethnic information in studies is pressured [33].

JT McCann (1989) was conducted study on narcissistic behavior and self-pronounced anger. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between anger and narcissism.

The relationship between anger and narcissistic character characteristics was examined for 91 students in introductory psychology guides and 35 people excessive in narcissism pronounced more verbally expressed anger. Boys high in narcissism expressed anger in extra physical approaches than did girls high in narcissism or men and women low in narcissism [34].

Moazama Anwar was conducted study on Intellectual health troubles in teenagers of Pakistan and the relationship of narcissism and self -esteem with aggression. The present day research turned into aimed to analyze the relationship between narcissism, shallowness and aggression. Pearson correlation suggests that narcissism is undoubtedly related to aggression, while shallowness is negatively correlated with aggression. Significant gender differences are determined in narcissism, as boys scored drastically high than females. The research troubles specify interventional techniques to restriction the severity of narcissism and anger explosion in young adults [35].

Alexandrina L. Dumitrescu (2013) was conducted study on The Correlation between Narcissism, Oral Fitness Status and Oral Health-Related Activities The intention of study become to analyze whether narcissism is related to self-stated oral health status and oral-health related behaviors college undergraduates. The effects indicate that there are full-size differences on narcissism ranges in step with numerous variables: gender, tension, strain and depression, self-rated oral health reputation, self-mentioned gingival circumstance and number of modern extracted teeth. Moreover, people who go to their dentist mainly whilst remedy is wanted or whilst ache had been compared with individuals who go to their dentist in particular for test-up or for tooth cleansing and scaling they showed lower degrees of narcissism [8].

GASF de Lima (2017) was conducted study on accounting students to check the effect of narcissism on their performance. The reason of this studies was to become aware of if non-pathological narcissistic personality trends in accounting college students are related to their overall performance. College students who overestimate their overall performance, a feature present in narcissistic people, live in the unrealistic belief that they do higher than others in extraordinary activities. Such tendency can be destructive in the long term. In addition to ensuing in a regular attempt in order that such expectations turn out to be fact. The effects suggest that the better the presence of narcissistic developments, the more his/her self-perceived educational performance. At identical time, narcissism does now not have an effect on the student’s actual performance, which advise that narcissistic character developments simply have an impact on expectations, rather than the getting to know technique [36].

MT. Gabriel compared the potential of narcissism and self-esteem to are expecting advantageous illusions in self-critiques of intelligence and bodily attraction in a pattern of 146 university college students. Narcissism predicted each sorts of impression for women and men; self-esteem expected intelligence self-illusion for males. Both ladies and men overrated their very own intelligence, with males, but not girls, additionally overestimating their splendor. Positive illusions for intelligence and attractiveness were correlated. Males showed more fantastic illusions than girls, with this effect at least in part resulting from determined gender differences in narcissism [37].

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

A survey was conducted for the purpose of studying the prevalence of narcissism among pharmacy students.

Participants

Participants (N = 50 men, 50 women; Mage = 21 years) were undergraduates at different government and private universities of Lahore, Pakistan.

Inclusion criteria

Pharmacy students with age 18-25 years were included.

Exclusion criteria

• Children
• Students below or above the 18-25 age.
• Graduated pharmacy students.

Tool

The quantitative questionnaire was filled by the 100 pharmacy students of different universities of Lahore, Pakistan. The questionnaire was consisted on two parts. One portion was based on demographic data e. g. age, gender and material status and the other potion was consisting on the questions to measure the narcissism. Narcissistic Personality inventory (NPI 16) was established to measure the narcissism behavior among pharmacy students. It was consisting of 15 questions each having 4 options.

Method:

A consent form was filled by all the participants to ensure their permission. Then questionnaire was filled by the students.

Analysis:

The data was analyzed by the SPSS version-19. The statistical data was collected to observe the rate of prevalence among pharmacy students.

According to above mention data 69% of individual consider them beautiful. Out of 100 students 69 % are of this view that beauty lies within a person. Living in such a under development area it is difficult to think yourself beautiful. The students are under a lot of depression and social factors also come in to account. Due to which students don’t feel that much confident as they should be. Praising is something most of people aren’t good at. If someone praising his-self, people might think as over confident. So according to our study only 45% pharmacy students praise themselves. This ratio can be increased if students start concentration on themselves. On average very less students gain time to watch themselves in mirror. They feel a fear that how they would be looking. So students avoid to see mirror. Still in women this ratio is quite higher. According to this study 77 % pharmacy students like to see themselves in mirror and praise their beauty. Now a days students spent more time on how to groom themself. 62 percent individuals focus on self-grooming. Most of students don’t consider self-grooming is even something important for personality. A good fashion sense is important for self-grooming. 53% female students think about other people before wearing something. This thought comes from a fact that people judge themselves on the clothes what they are wearing. Living in a stereotypical society has a great impact on people opinion about themselves. Due to which this percentage is quite high.

Summing up our whole data. Percentages of narcissist people were evaluated on narcissistic personality inventory scale. This scale helps to identify how many people are at the brink of extremism. It help to identify the fact that most pharmacy students are narcissist at certain places with insecurities and doubt about how they are looking. They also wants to ascertain if people like them or not. Only 30% individuals are least narcissistic behavior. This is alarming situation. The ratio of pharmacy students who are moderate narcissistic are 56 percent. These are those pharmacy students who are insecure at certain points in their lives in front of certain people. Extreme narcissistic students are victims of inferiority complex. They need other people assurance about their looks. They need someone guarantee to judge them and rate them on the scale of beauty set by our society. These pharmacy students are in great danger, they can even get crazy. They cannot tolerate someone not supporting them or not praising them. They need approval before going somewhere about their looks. The ratio of extreme narcissistic people is 14 percent. These students can be out in category of mentally unstable. Because their lives revolve around other persons opinion. In Pakistan people give large importance to prejudgments of other people. Among pharmacy student this trend is seen that they compare themselves with other students on basis of beauty standards set by society. They consider them self-superior to others and generates narcissistic thoughts in them.

Chapter Five: Conclusion And Future Direction

In a nutshell this study is all about pharmacy students obsessed with themselves. Students who love themselves unconditionally. Personality and attribution theories give us a clue that these narcissistic pharmacy students when gain any success in life. They give credit to their personal abilities and skills rather then considering luck or other people efforts. These students don’t understand other people needs and expectations towards them. Vulnerability traits and anxiety caused by prejudgments of people is very common in narcissistic students. With increasing ratio of narcissism in Pakistan it is very difficult for pharmacy students to work with each other in peace and harmony. Students start comparing themselves with others. This study gave us a view that narcissistic pharmacy students build a toxic and negative and unproductive environment around them. It is important to constructively build students to give positive feedback and praise each other instead of praising others. While collecting data it was observed that university administration also plays important role in development of narcissism in pharmacy students. Study showed that narcissism can generate low self-esteem. In Pakistan on average pharmacy students have a lot of public interaction. They go on public gatherings. Due to which it is human nature to judge someone on the basis of their looks. Narcissistic students are sure that they are more beautiful and pretty as compared to others. Several factors limit our research such as extreme narcissism showed weak vulnerability. Similarly internal reliability of narcissistic scale have decreased the sensitivity of potential differences between individual attributes. Although current study is inconclusive of individual attributes. The success and failure of narcissistic pharmacy students and impact of other people opinions about them is well studies. Concepts outlined in this research will help future researchers to implicate such data in field of phycology. Similarly increased narcissistic traits in young individuals such as power and inflated sense of self should be examined. This will help in understanding behaviors of academic students who are suffering from narcissism. Researchers should observe interrelation between educational and cultural values related to personality traits. This will help students suffering from narcissism to cope with their insecurities and build a better constructive environment.