Different slopes for different folks: Gender moderates the relationship between empathy and narcissism

Narcissism is reportedly on the increase across generations and one fundamental factor in narcissism is limited empathy. This study examined whether gender moderates the relationship between multidimensional empathy (Empathic Concern, Fantasy, Personal Distress, and Perspective Taking) and narcissism. Participants were 331 undergraduate students in a Nigerian university (197 men and 134 women; Mean age = 21.13,SD = 2.65). Data was obtained using self-report questionnaires consisting of Narcissism Spectrum Scale, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and a section for relevant demographic information. Moderation analysis showed that there was a stronger negative association between three dimensions of empathy (Empathic Concern, Fantasy, and Perspective Taking) and narcissism for women, but gender effects on the relationship between Personal Distress and narcissism was not significant. Controlling for the effect of age, Multivariate Analysis of Covariance indicated that women had higher Fantasy and Personal Distress than men, but men had higher narcissism than women. The findings are considered to have implications especially in development of gender-based intervention programmes to curtail the rising occurrence of narcissistic traits.