The Relationship between Covert Narcissism and Reactive Aggression: The Sequential Mediation Effect of Hostile Attribution Bias and Anger Rumination

Objective: This study examined the sequential mediating effects of hostile attribution bias and anger rumination in the relationship between covert narcissism and reactive aggression. Methods: Self-report questionnaires assessing covert narcissism, hostile attribution bias, anger rumination, and reactive aggression were administered to 300 adults aged 19 years and above. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the sequential mediating effects of hostile attribution bias and anger rumination in the relationship between covert narcissis and reactive aggression. Results: The relationship between covert narcissism and reactive aggression was found to be partially mediated by hostile attribution bias and anger rumination, sequentially. In addition, the relationship was partially mediated by anger rumination. Finally, the studied relationship was not found to be mediated by hostile attribution bias. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the need to focus on hostile attribution bias and anger rumination as well as covert narcissism in therapeutic interventions for people with reactive aggression.