Validation of the brief pathological narcissism inventory and its association with cyber intimate partner violence in portuguese emerging adults

Abstract

Background: Cyber intimate partner violence (C-IPV) refers to abusive and controlling behaviors enacted through digital technologies toward a current or former intimate partner. Previous research suggests that pathological narcissism may be associated with C-IPV. Methods: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Brief Pathological Narcissism Inventory (B-PNI), the frequency of self-reported C-IPV perpetration and related behaviors, and the association between C-IPV perpetration and pathological narcissism among emerging adults. The sample comprised 371 participants aged 18–25 years (M = 21.52, SD = 1.97), of whom 78.7% were female. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the a priori two-factor model of the B-PNI (CFI = 0.982, TLI = 0.965, RMSEA = 0.076), comprising grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. The BPNI showed satisfactory internal consistency and theoretically expected associations with psychopathological symptoms and broader personality dimensions. Overall, 79.5% of participants reported at least one C-IPV behavior, with 61.5% reporting online control, 62.0% online jealousy, and 31.5% online intrusive behaviors. C-IPV perpetration was positively and significantly associated with both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, although the associations were small in magnitude. Conclusions: The findings provide preliminary support for the use of the B-PNI among Portuguese emerging adults and indicate that pathological narcissism is associated with C-IPV perpetration. Given the modest magnitude of these associations, narcissistic traits should be considered as one of multiple individual and relational factors potentially involved in C-IPV.